final-nail-4

THE FINAL NAIL 

NUMBER THREE 

DESTROYING THE FUR INDUSTRY Number FourT 

Summer 2013

And now, let’s finish them off... 

This represents the most comprehensive collection of fur industry addresses 

and tactical guidance on destroying the fur industry to date. 

This is our attempt to bring accountability to those who shed the blood of the 

innocent every day. 

Most importanly, this is for their victims. 

Endgame: Back to drive in the final nail From 2008 Until 

In 1996, The Final Nail #1: Destroying the 

Fur Industry circulated rapidly through 

the grassroots animal liberation movement. 

If offered the first comprehensive 

list of mink, fox, and lynx farms to date, 

revealing for the first time the exact physical 

location of fur farms across North 

America. Prior to its release, there had 

been five fur farm liberations. In the 2.5 

years that followed, there were nearly 50. 

The following year, The Final Nail #2 was 

released with updated info an many new 

farms. The ALF’s fur farm campaign continued 

to accelerate, with larger and more 

frequent raids. Despite The Final Nail’s 

massive impact, and the ALF continuing 

to raid dozens of farms, The Final Nail 

remained dormant for the next 11 years. 

In the summer of 2008, The Final Nail was 

resurrected with the release of #3. The 

list had been massively updated, with over 

100 previously unknown farms, and over 

10 years of accumulated data on liberating 

fur farm prisoners. Fearing another surge 

in fur farm raids, the fur industry moved 

swiftly to have copies removed form 

the internet anywhere it appeared. It’s 

circulation shifted to be largely limited to 

hard copy editions which were distributed 

person-to-person and anonymously at 

conferences and gatherings. 

Despite its limited circulation, The Final 

Nail’s impact continued. Within 3 months 

of its release, 3 farms whose addresses 

were first revealed in its pages were raided 

and nearly 9,000 mink released. The Final 

Nail was back. 

The updated Final Nail #4 comes 5 years 

later, in the summer of 2013, in what is 

perhaps the period of lowest activity since 

the ALF began it’s fur farm campaign. 

The past year saw only a single release (13 

foxes from a farm in Elkton, Virginia). 

The Final Nail #4 offers these updates: 

• 

• 

• 

Over 100 new fur farms since #3 

Specific details on fur farm layout 

(gathered from on-site investigations) 

Analysis of weak links in the industry 

The spirit and function of The Final Nail 

is needed now more than ever. In a time 

when the climate in the movement has 

shifted from offensive to defensive, from 

a conversation on what we’re going to do 

to stop them to what they’re doing to stop 

us, from a time of ALF actions at a rate 

of one every two weeks to one of movement-wide 

paralysis inspired by rampant 

fear-mongering, The Final Nail represents 

a return to the essence of the ALF and 

the warrior model: the where, the how, 

and purpose that transcends all obstacles 

and fears. 

To the rebirth of The Final Nail, and swift 

death of the fur industry. 

The (anonymous) editors 

Today 

A recent history of the ALF’s 

fur farm campaign 

Fur farm raids have seen a sharp 

decline since the last Final Nail, 

with just 13 fur farm actions occurring in the 

past 5 years. 

Within two months of the release of The Final 

Nail #3 in July 2008, 114 mink were released in 

an unreported raid of the Hunter Groves Mink 

Farm in South Jordan, Utah. This action was 

only made public in court documents after the 

arrest of two people for the raid that happened 

next... 

On August 19th, 600 mink were liberated from 

the McMullin fur farm, also in South Jordan. 

The raid resulted in two arrests, after evidence 

such as cell phone records and a car key left at 

the scene linked two Utah activists to the raid. 

Less than a month later, 150-200 mink were 

released from the S&N mink and fox farm in 

Scio, Oregon. The following year, the farm 

was reported to be empty, and is believed to be 

closed. The timing strongly indicates the ALF 

raid shut down this farm. 

Less than two weeks later, the largest mink 

release since 2003 took place in Kayesville, 

Utah; with the liberation of 7,000 mink from the 

Lodder fur farm north of Salt Lake City. 

The following month, another address first 

made public in The Final Nail was hit, with 

1,500 mink liberated from the Ylipelto Fur Farm 

near Astoria, Oregon. A year later the farm was 

Continued on Pg. 4

Complete list of U.S.fur farm raids: 1986 to 2013 

93 raids. 

Over 130,000 animals freed. 

1986 

Unnamed farm 

Near Portland, Oregon 

66 silver foxes liberated 

August 13th, 1995 

Davidson Fur Farm 

Annendale, Minnesota 

One coyote liberated 

November 16th, 1995 

Jordan Mink Ranch 

Olympia, Washington 

400 mink liberated 

CLOSED 


Ma Ellis Fox Farm 

Pleasant View, Tenessee 

30 foxes liberated 

CLOSED 

January 15th, 1996 

Zimbal Mink Ranch 

Sheboygan, Wisconsin 


April 4th, 1996 

W. Bennet Fur Farm 

Victor, New York 

1,700 mink liberated 

June, 1996 

Brainard Fur Farm 

Snohomish, Washington 


CLOSED 

June 7th, 1996 

Fur Breeder’s Agricultural 

Cooperative 

Sandy, Utah 


June 21st, 1996 

Unknown fur farm 

Riverton, Utah 


July 4th, 1996 

Latzig Mink Ranch 

Howard Lake, Minnesota 


NOW A FERRET FARM 

July 17th, 1996 

Holt Mink Ranch 

South Jordan, Utah 



Carmel Mink Ranch 

Hinsdale, Massachusettes 


CLOSED 


Jorney Mink Ranch 

Alliance, Ohio 


September 28th, 1996 




October 2nd, 1996 

Paul Westwood Fur Farm 

Salem, Utah 


October 5th, 1996 

Gauthier Fur Farm 

Lindboro, New Hampshire 

35 fox and 10 mink liberated 





CLOSED 

October 23rd, 1996 

Arnold Krohl Fur Farm 

Lebaon, Oregon 



Reese Fur Farm 

Coalville, Utah 

2,000 mink and 200 fox liberated 


Bennett Fur Farm 

Victor, New York 

46 fox liberated 

December 14th, 1996 

Brainard Fur Farm 



CLOSED 

December 25th, 1996 

Jack Brower Fur Farm 

Bath, Michigan 



Kelly Fur Farm 

DeBerry, Texas 

10 chinchillas liberated 

May 11th, 1997 

Parson’s Mink Ranch 

Salisbury, Maryland 


CLOSED 

May 28th, 1997 

Lou Masog Mink Farm 

Lebanon, Oregon 


May 30th, 1997 

Arritola Mink Ranch 

Mount Angel, Oregon 



David Smith Mink Farm 

Cle Elum, Washington 


CLOSED 


Tom Mohoric Mink Farm 

Medina, Ohio 


July, 1997 




September 1st, 1997 

Ides Mink Farm 

Downers Grove, Illinois 


CLOSED 

September 2nd, 1997 

Adams Fox Farm 

Anerson, Indiana 



Frye Mink Farm 

Crystal Lake, Illinois 



Palmer Mink Farm 

Preston, Idaho 



Turbak Mink Ranch 

Watertown, South Dakota 


CLOSED 


Circle K Farm 

Sioux City, Iowa 

5,000 mink, 100 fox liberated 

October 21st, 1997 

Fassett Fur Farm 

Webster City, Iowa 

1 mink liberated


Smeija Fur Farm 

Independence, Wisconsin 



Ott Mink Ranch 

Tomohawk, Wisconsin 


Ocotber 25th, 1997 

Jack Dittrich Minkery 

Medford, Wisconsin 


CLOSED 


Blaine Leffers Fox Farm 

Fort Wayne, Indiana 






CLOSED 

July 3rd, 1998 

United Vaccines Research 

Ranch 

Middleton, Wisconsin 


CLOSED 

July 29th, 1998 

Fur Breeder’s Agricultural Co-op 

Sandy, Utah 


July 30th, 1998 

Fur Breeder’s Agricultural 

Co-op 

Sandy, Utah 



Mueller fur farm 

Kimball, Minnesota 


CLOSED 


Hidden Valley Fur Farm 

Guttenburg, Iowa 


CLOSED. 

(the farmer mentions two actions 

have occurred, only one 

action is known) 

August 21st, 2008 

Isebrand Fur Farm 

Jewell, Iowa 



Brown Mink Farm 

Beloit, Wisconsin 



Zumbro River Fur Farm 

Rochester, MN 



Pipkorn Inc 

Powers, MI 



Volo, Illinois 

Empty fur farm sabotaged 

December 2nd, 1998 

Adams Fox Farm 

Anderson, Indiana 


February 13, 1999 


Annendale, Minnesota 


February 17th, 1999 

Nivison Mink Ranch 

Richmond, Utah 


February 23rd, 1999 

Brainerd Fur Farm 



CLOSED 

August 3rd, 1999 

Krieger Fur Farm 

Bristol, Wisconsin 



Gene Meyer Mink Farm 

Plymouth, Wisconsin 


(nearby United Feeds fur feed 

supplier burned down the same 

night) 

CLOSED 


Frank Parsons Mink Ranch 

Salisbury, Maryland 


CLOSED 


Calvin Gunnink Fur Farm 

Chandler, Minnesota 



Owl Creek Fox Farm 

Montpelier, Indiana 

30 fox painted with henna dye 


Calvin Gunnink Fur Farm 

Chandler, Minnesota 

5 lynx liberated 


Beckstead Mink Ranch 


Hundreds of mink liberated 

Janurary 29th, 2000 

Brainerd Fur Farm 



CLOSED 

June 14th, 2000 

Richard Gauthier Fur Farm 

Lyndeborough, New Hamsphire 



Drewelow & Sons Fur Farm 

New Hampton, Iowa 



Indiana 

30 fox painted with henna 


Brainerd’s Fur Farm 



CLOSED 


Scott Nelson Mink Ranch 

Ellsworth, Iowa 


CLOSED 


Scott Nelson Mink Ranch 

Ellsworth, Iowa 


CLOSED 

May, 2002 

Minkdek Brothers 

Harborcreek, Pennsylvania 


June, 2002 

Lawrence Dana Fox Farm 

Erie, Pennsylvania 

All foxes liberated, breeding 

cards taken 


Misty Moonlight Mink Ranch 

Waverly, Iowa 


September, 2002 



50 minks liberated 

September, 2002 

Main Mink Ranch 

Gerry, New York 

Mink liberated and breeding 

cards taken 

CLOSED 




Fur feed storage building 

burned down 


Roessler Brother’s Mink Farm 

Sultan, Washington 


April 1st, 2005 

Kerry Littig’s fox farm 

Bluffs, Illinois 

Dozens of fox liberated 





CLOSED


Dale Marr’s Mink Ranch 

Deming, Washington 

150-200 mink liberated 

April 21st, 2008 

Jefferson Fur Farm 

Jefferson, Oregon 


August, 2008 (“days before” mink 

release at McMullin Mink Farm) 

Hunter Groves Mink Farm 




McMullin Mink Farm 




S&N Fur Farm 

Scio, Oregon 

150-200 mink liberated 

REPORTED EMPTY 2009, 

MAY REOPEN 

September 21st, 2008 

Lodder’s Mink Farm 

Kaysville, Utah 



Ylipelto Fur Farm 

Svensen, Oregon 


CLOSED 





CLOSED 

A Recent History of Fur Farm Raids 

(Cont’d...) 

hit again (300 mink released). By the time the farm 

was visited a third time in 2010, with several vehicles 

and a building set on fire, the farm was believed to be 

closed. Again, the timing strongly indicates the ALF 

raids shut this farm down forever. 

Two small, unreported mink releases occurred over 

the next year. The first took place in November 2009, 

where 50 mink were released from Lang’s Mink Farm 

in Richmond, Minnesota. The next took place in July 

2010, where 30 mink were released from an unnamed 

farm in Franklin, Idaho. 

The Harvey Beck Mink Ranch near Seattle was next, 

with 400 mink released in September 2010. Activity 

remained non-existent for a year, until the Western 

Star Fur Farm in Astoria, Oregon was visited by the 

ALF and 300 mink released in 2011. 

The next month saw three actions in just over 2 

weeks. Rocky Mountain Fur and Fireworks, located 

on Interstate 80 in Heyburn, Idaho was set on fire. 

Damage was reported to be light. Soon after, 1,200 

mink were released from the Palmer Erickson fur 

farm in Jewel, Iowa; and two days later 1,000 mink 

were released from Miller’s Mink Ranch in Gifford, 

Washington. 

The period between The Final Nail #3 and #4 closed 

out with the sole liberation in 2012: The release of 13 

foxes from the D&S Fox Farm in Elkton, Virginia. 

The fur industry is a weak link in the animal exploitation 

chain. The determined work of a caring few can 

finish it off forever. 

Until victory. 


Lang’s Mink Farm 

Richmond, Minnesota 


July 13th, 2010 

Unnamed mink farm 

Franklin, Idaho 


July 27th, 2010 



Eight incendiary devices 

planted, buildings & vehicle 

burned 

CLOSED 


Harvey Beck Mink Ranch 

Granite Falls, Washington 



Western Star Fur Farm 




Palmer Erickson Mink Farm 

Jewell, Iowa 



Miller’s Mink Ranch 

Gifford, Washington 

1,000 mink liberated. 


D & S Fox Farm 

Elkton, Virginia 


Top 10 mink producing states 

as of 2007 (the latest year for 

which statistics are available), 

with the number of reported 

farms: 

Wisconsin (71) 

Utah (65) 

Oregon (18) 

Minnesota (23) 

Idaho (24) 

Iowa (17) 

Washington (9) 

South Dakota (3) 

Ohio (9) 

Illinois (7) 

4

Weak Links 

The fastest way to Destroy the Fur Industry 

“Fight smarter, not harder.” 

Like any industry, fur has many layers, each feeding the one above it. At the top are the individual consumers. Below 

them, retail outlets the sell fur. Then wholesalers and manufacturers, and on downward. This article asks the question: 

What are the weakest links? What facets can be targeted by a few individuals that will weaken the entire industry and 

hasten it’s collpase? And are there a few pillars that, if removed, would bring it down altogether? 

Feed suppliers 

Feed is the single biggest expense in raising mink. Even a small increase in 

feed costs would destroy many – if not most – fur farms. As an example, 

when the Fur Breeder’s Agricultural Cooperative stopped delivering to a 

small town in Utah (forcing them to use another supplier or make their 

own), at least two fur farms there were forced to close. 

Mink research 

The Fur Commission USA spends a full 25% of its budget on mink farming 

research. Through research into feed, disease, pelt quality, and more, 

the US fur industry maintains a competitive edge over international markets. 

Vaccine production 

According to a Fur Commission USA poll, a disease outbreak is their second 

biggest fear as fur farmers (after attacks by animal rights activists). An 

aluetian disease outbreak can wipe out a mink farm in a matter of weeks. 

There are two companies producing vaccines: Merck (doing mink research 

at their suburban Omaha research farm) and United Vaccines (three locations 

around Madison, WI). 

Processing plants 

Right now there is a severe shortage of facilities able to process raw animal 

skins. Currently, the only large-scale operation is the North American 

Fur Auctions processing plant in Stoughton, Wisconsin (near Madison). 

This plant has trouble handling current volume, and is an extremely significant 

lynchpin. 

Melatonin implants 

These implants can shorten the time it take to bring a pelt to market by 

six weeks. This brings the cost per pelt down significantly, and gives farms 

that use them a huge advantage. Currently there is one supplier of melatonin 

implants in the US: Neo-Dynamics, in Middleton, WI. 

Auction Houses 

Currently the Seattle Fur Exchange is the only auction house in the US for ranch-raised 

mink. Over 70% of all animals from US fur farms pass through this one building near 

Seattle. 

United Feeds 

Burned down by the ALF, 1999 

Oregon State University 

Fur Lab After ALF raid, 1991 

Seattle Fur Exchange 

Untouched by the ALF... So far

Industry Trends 

The trend in the fur industry continues towards consolidation. The year of the first 

Animal Liberation Front mink release, 1995, there were 478 mink farms. In 2011, there 

were 268. Yet the number of animals killed has not decreased significantly (and is on the 

increase). Smaller farms are declining, while large farms are getting larger. The average 

mink farm in 1995 killed 5,864 mink (not including the breeders). In 2011, the average 

farm killed 11,529 mink. This means the average mink farm has doubled in size. 

Prisoners of War: A Brief History 

Chatham Three 

Action: ALF liberation of 1,542 mink from the Eberts Fur Farm in 

Blenheim , Ontario . 

Arrested: Pat Dodson, 48; Hilma Ruby, 59; Gary Yourofsky, 26; 

Robyn Weiner, 25; Alan Hoffman, 47. All residents of Michigan. 

Charges: Each charged with Breaking and Entering and 

Criminal Mischief. Dodson also was charged with Possession 

of Break-in Tools; Weiner and Hoffman were charged with 

Possession of Stolen Property Over $5,000. All were freed on 

$10,000 cash bail. 

Outcome: Allan Hoffman and Robyn Weiner inform against the 

others, also implicating one person in release of 1,500 mink at the 

farm the week previous. Sentence: 6 months in jail. 

Mass Four 

Action: Release of 25 mink from Carmel Mink Ranch, Hindsdale 

MA on 11-28-96. Can of gasoline found near scene. Third mink 

release at the farm in three months. 

Arrested: Alex Smolak, Warren Upson, Jamie Roth, Grant 

Upson 

Charges: Breaking and entering in the night time with intent to 

commit a felony, trespass, larceny of property over $250 and malicious 

destruction of property over $250. 

Outcome: $3,100 fine, three days jail, one year probation. 

Seattle Five 

Action: Daylight raid of 150 mink from Brainerd’s Fur Farm, 

Snohomish WA; 2-12-99. 

Arrested: Lindsey Parme, Kyle Salisbury, Geoff Kerns, Kim 

Berardi and Nicole Dawn Briggs. 

Charges: Second-degree burglary and first-degree theft. 

Outcome: Charges against all defendants were dropped when the 

prosecution was unwilling to reveal their informant in the case. 

Utah case 

Action: Release of 3,000 mink at Holt’s mink ranch, South 

Jordan UT 

Arrested: Clinton Colby Ellerman, Sean Gautschy, Brandon 

Mitchener, Trev Poulson, Alex Slack. Colby turned informant. 

Outcome: Two years in prison. 

Ohio Three 

Action: Release of 100 mink from Jorney Mink Ranch, Alliance 

OH; 7-97 

Arrested: Jesse V. Parsh, 19, Stephanie A. MacDougall, 18, and 

unknown third person. 

Charges: Two counts of Vandalism, two counts of Breaking and 

Entering and one count of Possession of Criminal Tools. All 

felonies. 

Outcome: Each plead guilty to five felonies. 

Justin Samuel and Peter Young 

Actions: Release of 3,000 mink from Turbak Mink Ranch, 

Watertown, SD; release of 5,000 minks and 100 fox from Circle 

K Farm, Sioux City, IA; release of one mink and destruction of 

breeding records from Fassett Fur Farm, Webster City, IA; release 

of 800 mink from Smeija Fur Farm, Independence, WI; release 

of 300 mink from Ott’s Mink Ranch, Tomohawk, WI; release of 

2,500 mink from Dittrich Minkery, Medford, WI. 

Charges: Four counts of Disruption of Interstate Commerce 

Through Threats of Violence or Extortion, two counts of Animal 

Enterprise Terrorism. 

Outcome: Justin Samuel turned states evidence and testified 

against Young. Both sentenced to two years 

Bj Viehl & Alex Hall 

Action: Release of 600 mink from McMullin & Sons fur farm, 

August 2010. Claimed by the ALF. 

Charges: Animal Enterprise Terrorism. 

Outcome: Sentenced to two years and two and a half years, 

respectively. 

Victor VanOrden & Kellie Mashall 

Action: Attempted raid of Circle K Fur Farm, Sioux City, IA, 

October 10th 2010. 

Charges: Possession of burglar’s tools (misdemeanor), seconddegree 

criminal mischief. 

Outcome: Served two months and one month, respectively.

Most Wanted List 

National Feeds 

Believed to be the largest feed supplier. Operates a production 

mill in New Holstein. For many years, operated a “research 

ranch” in Oshkosh, WI; yet the experimental fur farm is no 

longer at that location. It is possible the farm relocated, and if 

identified would be a significant target. 

North American Fur Auctions plant 

Currently a significant bottleneck point as the only large-scale 

pelt processor in the country, unable to handle current demand. 

Handles a large percentage of the raw pelts from US 

fur farms. In Stoughton, Wisconsin. 

American Legend (Seattle Fur Exchange) 

The only auction house in the US for ranch-raised mink. Over 

70% of all pelts from US fur farms pass through one warehouse 

south of Seattle. Holds two auctions annually, where fur 

dealers and brokers from around the world converge to bid on 

the 3 million skins sold there each year. Also a pelt processor. 

This is the industry’s most crucial choke-point. 

Fraser Fur Farm 

Largest and one of the only known wildcat farms in the 

country. There is evidence the farm no longer imprisons lynx, 

but does hold bobcats and other species. Located north of 

Missoula, Montana. 

United Vaccines 

Creates pharmaceuticals for fur farms. Operates a production 

facility in Fitchburg, WI (next to Madison), and there is evidence 

they operate a research facility in neighboring Verona. 

Neo-Dynamics 

The only manufacturer of melatonin implants in the US. Gives 

many farms an edge, without which they would go under. 

Located near United Vaccines in Middleton, WI. 

University research 

Three universities are believed to be actively doing research to 

benefit the fur industry: Washington State University, Idaho 

State University, and Michigan State University. Currently 

the US fur industry is only competitive on the global market 

through superior pelt quality made possibly be the industry’s 

research apparatus’s. 

Strategy Sidebar 

Feed Suppliers: The Weakest Link 

In a letter to the to the FDA from Dale Lawson of Northwest 

Farm Food, he states that without inexpensive and specialized 

feed ensuring top pelt quality, the U.S. fur industry would 

collapse. 

“The additional costs associated with [FDA proposal leading to 

increase in feed costs] would, in my opinion, totally eliminate 

the mink industry in the United States.” 

A farmer speaking this candidly about the critical role of feed 

is not uncommon. I have viewed other industry literature 

laying bare this reality of fur farming in the U.S.: With other 

countries now able to produce fur more cheaply than the U.S., 

the only way U.S. farmers can compete and the only edge they 

have in the global market is superior pelt quality. And along 

with breeding stock, the most crucial factor in pelt quality is 

specialized feed. In Utah, when the Fur Breeder’s Agricultural 

Co-op stopped delivering to their town, several farms were 

forced to close. 

Feed cost is the largest cost incurred by fur farms, representing 

50-60 percent of the total cost of producing a pelt. 

The current breakdown of known U.S. feed suppliers: 

Central Fur Food (WI) 

Medford Fur Food (WI) 

Wisco Feed (unconfirmed if this company still 

manufactures feed) (WI) 

United Feeds (WI) 

National Fur Foods (WI) 

Northwest Farm Food-Burlington (WA) 

Northwest Farm Food-Astoria (OR) 

Fur Breeder’s Agricultural Co-op: Logan (UT) 

Fur Breeder’s Agricultural Co-op: Sandy (UT) 

Rancher’s Choice (NE) 

Hawkeye Mink Cooperative 

Heger Company (MN) 

These are either uninvestigated, or believed to be smaller in 

size: 

Alpine Clean Food (ID) 

Midwest Ingredients (IL) 

North Central Companies (MN) 

Whalen Foods Inc. (MN) 

Bob’s Mink Ranch (MN) 

Mazuri / Purina Mills (fox feed) (MO) 

John & Peggy Smeal (NE) 

Ormink, Mount Angel (OR) 

Western Pennsylvania Fur Farmers Co-op (PA) 

Shoreline Feeds, Lake Shore (UT) 

LaBudde Group, Inc (WI)

How to Raid a Fur Farm 

Animal Liberation in Eight Steps 

Choose a Target 

With this list as a starting point, use satellite images (from a 

public computer) to examine layout and parking options, then 

identify an appetizing target. 

Gather equipment 

Disposable dark clothing, facial coverings, wire cutters (come 

prepared with large and small pairs), gloves, and Maglight / 

small flashlights with red screen (less visible from a distance) 

and hands-free head strap (or headlamp). 

Optional items include a digital camera (to document conditions 

and the raid itself), video camera (same), and radios 

(strongly recommended). 

Park 

Ideally, a parking spot will have 

been identified during daytime 

reconnaissance. However this 

is not required. Parking options 

included vacant lots, dirt paths 

that access corn fields / farms, 

nearby businesses such as grain 

elevators or unmanned animal 

farms, or just the side of the road. 

Use satellite images and pay special 

attention to parking options 

at neighboring properties behind 

the farm, which may be miles by 

road, but can offer quick access 

when used to approach on foot 

from the rear. Farms along rail 

road tracks allow for convenient 

parking, as tracks allow a path 

along which one can travel long 

distances unobstructed without 

encountering people or cars. Its 

possible to park a mile or more 

away, and use railroad tracks for 

a direct route to the farm. 

Dismantle the fence 

There is much variety among fences, and there are even those 

farms that have no fence at all. Every fence will be unique, 

and often that at first appears to be an impenetrable fence will 

have flaws which become apparent upon scrutiny. Very heavy 

fences are often kept in place only through attachment to fence 

posts. An entire fence can often be felled through a small number 

of calculated cuts at those points where the fence connects 

to the posts. If the entire fence cannot be brought down, 

many large holes should be cut giving the animals as many 

escape routes as possible. The fate to the compound should 

also be opened. Every bit of fence cut away can translate into 

more lives saved. Effectively dismantling the fence should be 

among the highest priorities. 

Inspect for alarms 

Although rare, do a quick sweep for 

photoelectric sensors in the corners 

of the compound and inside sheds, 

particularly at entrance points. 

Destroy breeding records 

While optional, this can be devastating 

to a fur farm and have tremendous 

economic impact. If there is 

time, a team should identify the sheds 

housing the breeders and destroy the 

records. These usually take the form 

of index cards on or above the cages. 

Maintaining a high-quality pelt though 

methodical breeding practices is essential 

to the operation of a fur farm. 

Time permitting, this should be the 

first stop in any fur farm action. 

Open the cages 

There are a wide range of cages and

latches, and this will often vary even within the same farm. In 

addition to simple latches, many cages will only be opened, or 

opened most effectively, through the removal of nesting boxes. 

These are large wooden boxes hooked to the front of the cages 

that can generally be lifted and set to the ground, allowing the 

animals to escape. Some cages may be individually wired shut, 

particularly for the breeding stock. Most often these are kept 

shut with a small o-ring that can be removed with one cut. 

Fox cages can be found inside sheds or in outdoor pens, and 

vary greatly in latching mechanism and structure. 

Post-raid work 

Discard all tools and clothing far from the scene. See section on 

“Media Work” for guidance on disseminating the communique. 

Alternate Actions 

Releasing animals within the compound 

in the rare cases where a fence proves unfellable, or weather 

conditions do not permit a release into the wild, the breeders 

and non-breeders can be released from their cages within the 

compound. The breeders and non-breeders will then mix, and 

the farmer will be unable to tell which is which. The farmer will 

be forced to pelt out his entire stock and start from scratch. 

This can be absolutely devastating to a fur farm. Breeding 

stock is most valuable aspect to an operation. In one recorded 

instance, the release of 800 breeding mink cost a fur farmer 

$240,000 ($3,000 per animal). 

Dropping over the fence 

An inefficient but in some cases necessary method of rescue. 

Animals can be placed over the fence manually. This can be use- 

ful in cases where dismantling the fence proves problematic, or 

the cages are too close to a house to risk the noise that follows a 

large mink release. There are no known cases of this tactic being 

employed in the US, yet a likely method would be to place animals 

individually in sacks and deliver them off site. Mink are very 

aggressive and heavy gloves are necessary when handling. 

Dyes 

Destroying the value of an animal’s pelt can be accomplished 

with henna-based dye. 

Small Farm List 

These farms are believed to imprison less than 5,000 mink, 

and are the smallest mink farms known. 

Up to six micro-farms in downtown Franklin, ID 

Bob Rodeghero, Morris, IL 

North Star Fur Farm, Ollie, IA 

Misty Moonlight Mink Ranch, Waverly, IA 

Pelton Fur Farm, Rome, NY 

Willes Fur Farm, Lehi, UT 

D&B Fur Farm, Peoa, UT 

Van Dyke Mink Farm, Springville, UT 

North 40, Richmond, UT 

Seth Dawson, Morgan, UT 

J & G Mink Ranch, Highland, UT 

Ovard Mink Farm, Wanship, UT 

McMullin Fur Farm, South Jordan, UT 

Samuel Schrock, Wautoma, WI

Fingerprints 

Wear gloves at all times. Never handle equipment that will 

be taken to the site – radio, flashlight, etc. – without wearing 

gloves. Be mindful of details such as prints on batteries 

inside flashlights. 

Cameras 

Video cameras at farms are not unheard of. Wear facial coverings 

at all times. 

Cell phone tracking 

BJ Viehl and Alex Hall were arrested for an ALF action at a 

Utah farm after being traced to the crime scene through cell 

phone records. Every cell phone is a tracking device. Turning 

a phone off is not sufficient, and time will tell whether 

removing the battery is in fact 100% effective. The safest 

practice is to leave cell phones at home. 

Police agencies also have the ability to turn any cell phone 

into a microphone remotely, and monitor all conversations 

within earshot – even when the phone is turned off. Cell 

phones are a major liability in any clandestine activity and 

should be kept far away from the 

planning and execution of an action. 

Tool marks. 

Tool mark analysis linking wire cutters to fences at farms 

was the main evidence used against Justin Samuel and Peter 

Young. Tools should never be used at more than one location, 

and should be discarded a safe distance from the scene 

after use. 

Clothing 

Clothes will retain forensic evidence such as mink hair and 

organic matter after an action, and should be discarded. 

Shoes will leave unique prints, and should also be thrown 

away. Studying shoe tread patterns unique to each person 

is another investigative tactic, and new shoes should be 

used for each action. Covering shoes with socks is a second 

option. Keep nothing after an action – no tools, clothing, 

maps, or notes. 

Other forensics 

Humans leave a trail of hair everywhere they go. Masks must 

be worn to prevent against leaving hair containing DNA that 

can link someone to a crime scene. In Finland, saliva found 

at the scene of a fur farm raid was used to implicate an 

activist. Leave no DNA traces. 

Clean the car thoroughly after an action. 

Other traces 

• Empty pockets of all debris before carrying out an action. 

• Clean car thoroughly prior to an action to insure against 

miscellaneous debris falling out when exiting. 

• Purchase nothing with a credit card. Purchase nothing 

used for an action anywhere nearby, even with cash. 

• In in a small town, stop nowhere unless absolutely 

necessary. Small town residents are often very aware of 

outsiders. 

• Be mindful of soft ground at the parking location that 

will leave tire tracks. 

• Do not bring a GPS device or use a vehicle with one 

embedded. 

• Do not park your vehicle in view of a surveillance camera, 

if parking in an area where cameras are a possibility. 

Communiques 

Without a Trace 

A Security Primer 

Great care should be 

given to post-raid media work. Only use a public 

computer where you can download TOR, which effectively 

anonymizes internet activity. Do all computer work, such 

as setting up email accounts and sending the communique, 

through the TOR network. 

If the postal service is used for a communique or photograph/video 

distribution, assemble the package in a clean 

room with adequate gloves (single-layer latex gloves are no 

sufficient), and seal it with a sponge (not saliva). Tape is 

a magnet for traces of skin and hair – use cautiously. No 

handwriting. Burn all communique drafts, including the 

several layers of paper under the draft that will contain an 

imprint. Scrutinize any photo or video to be released for the 

visibility of revealing features such as tattoos or eyes. The 

FBI has measured the distance between eyes and pupils to 

match suspects to photos. 

No one talks, everyone walks 

We see through history the greatest threat to evading capture 

is the threat of talk. Ensure everyone in the cell is schooled 

in security culture. Never work with a braggart, drug addict, 

and person untested under pressure, or one who exhibits 

unstable behavior or heavily emotion-driven decision making. 

Never discuss an action after the fact – on the phone, 

over the computer, or in person. The Green Scare case has 

shown that allies can become enemies, and talking even in 

private can have disastrous consequences. Enact a strict code 

of silence. 

10

Past the setting of the sun 

How many Midwest farms did you 

surveil during the fall of 1997? 

Between 35 and 50. We traveled eastward 

across Montana, South Dakota, 

Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. 

We spent the daytimedriving past 

farms and the nighttime on them. We 

walked the sheds of every manner 

of farm, from single sheds to farms 

imprisoning 80,000 mink.We walked 

the Fraser Fur Farm compound and 

stared in the eyes what may have 

been more lynx than existed in the 

wild in the entire state of Montana. 

We encountered masked scarecrows 

withsigns reading “A.L.F. Stay Away”. 

We were chased from farms on foot 

on more than one occasion,and by 

cars from several more. We looked at 

a lot of farms, many of which have 

been hit in the years since. It brings 

me immeasurable pleasure to readof 

farms I visited, whose captives I had 

to leavebehind, being raided years 

later. I hope I’m alive to see the day 

one or both of the Zimbal mink farm 

(WI) has every cage opened. 

What was your intention with this 

campaign? 

To get as many animals out of 

thosecages as we could before pelting 

season. The fact that some of the 

farms shut down was an unanticipated 

yet welcome side effect. 

Describe this period (1996 to 1998) of 

underground activism against the fur 

industry. 

An anecdote to illustrate the pace 

atwhich farms were getting raided 

from 1996 to1998: We had discussed 

surveilling farms in Idaho, including 

one in Preston ID. We decided 

against it, and did not visit any farms 

until Montana. We would later read 

that literally the night we were to 

have visited that farm, every one of its 

5,000 mink were released by individu- 

als unknown. Later, when we received 

the various police reports from that 

period it was revealed there were 

others surveilling farms in the same 

three-state area,sometimes visiting the 

same farms we had only a day apart. 

That three groups were out simultaneously 

seeking farms to raid illustrates 

the momentum at the time. Had we 

sustained this pace, there would be no 

U.S. fur industry today. 

Talk about how you located fur farms. 

Were all farms you visited listed in 

The Final Nail? Did you draw from 

other sources? 

The Final Nail was a starting point.To 

this day it is the best resource for fur 

farm addresses, although it has many 

gaps. To locate unknown farms, and 

find street addresses for those where 

only a “rural route” address was listed, 

we had to call on our creativity. This 

pre-dated the internet as we know it, 

and hard-copy material was our sole 

resource. The sources from which 

we drew the most info: local phone 

directories, business directories at the 

library, and agricultural survey maps 

at university libraries. Above them all, 

fur industry trade publications like Fur 

Rancher provided the most leads. And 

then there werethose farms we found 

by turning down “Fur Farm Road”. 

Sometimes they hide in plain sight. 

What did you look for in choosing 

one farm to raid over another? 

We looked at many farms, and couldn’t 

hit them all. There were features we 

looked for which disqualified some 

farms and beckoned usto others, which 

I will leave unmentioned to avoid giving 

the fur industry insight into the 

workings of those working to rid them 

from this earth. We should be reminded 

there have been farms raided with 

everything from perimeter security to 

guard dogs. Activists should take from 

this that “security”is only a deterrent if 

An interview 

Reprinted from War Machine 

A confessed mink liberator speaks about liberating fur farm prisoners: finding farms, bypassing security, and getting the animals out. 

you let it be. Farmers should take from 

this that when animal liberators have 

you in their sights, cash in your chips 

because you’re getting raided either 

way. 

What did you do with the car while 

you were surveilling or raiding farms? 

Did you have a driver, or did you park? 

Parking is an exercise in creativity. 

Cornfields, farm service roads, nearby 

non-residential buildings, and any 

place that will not arouse suspicion 

are all options. Having a driver would 

be sensible in an extreme case where 

parking was an impossibility. There 

are too many variables that could 

necessitate quick and premature flight 

from the premises to chance having to 

wait for pickup from a circling driver. 

We parked every time. 

Talk about removing fencing. How did 

youremove the fences surrounding a 

farm to allowthe mink an escape route? 

There is no correlation between the apparent 

fortitude of a fence and the ease 

with which it can be dismantled. Often 

the most intricately constructed fences 

are held together by only a few pieces 

of wire affixed to posts. When the wire 

is cut, the entire fence falls. Generally 

a small pair of wire cutters is suffcient, 

with larger bolt cutters sometimes being 

necessary. We took down 400 feet 

of fence in Medford in less than 20 

minutes with fewer than 50 cuts. 

What equipment did you bring to the 

farms? 

Dark clothes, facial covering, gloves, 

headlamp with red screen (making it 

barely visible at a distance), bolt cutters, 

and wire cutters. That’s it. 

Is there anything you wish you had 

used which would have made the action 

safer or more effective? 

With all actions, as in life, I believe 

11

low-tech and streamlined is best. Trust 

your senses and work with the absolute 

minimum needed to accomplish 

the goal. That said, the complications 

that came from our policy to always 

be in eyeshot of each other on the 

farm could have been avoided with 

radio contact. For that reason, I would 

see no good argument against using 

radios during an action. We never 

procured radios for the simple reason 

that we were short on money and the 

animals were short on time. 

Describe a mink shed. 

One to four rows, partially walled, 

with a very crude saloon-style door, if 

any. There is not much to it. When 

you’ve made it that far, the hardest 

part is behind you. 

Are there any security precautions 

you encountered at the farms (security 

guards, cameras, alarms, etc)? 

In the 35 to 50 farms we visited during 

the fall of 1997, I saw one video 

camera and no alarms. In the farms 

I’ve visited in the Northwest, I’ve seen 

over 10 farms with perimeter security 

and several with video cameras. Thus 

there are serious regional differences 

in security. The perimeter alarms 

I’ve encountered are invisible beams, 

which, most of the time, can be rolled 

un-der. I would suspect there is close 

to zero chance cameras on a farm are 

monitored overnight, and would not 

consider them a deterrent. 

Is the opening of the cages self-explanatory? 

It’s always self-explanatory but never 

consistent. Latch styles are numerous. 

In addition to simple latches, there are 

nesting boxes which are most often 

removable and provide the best option 

for mink to escape. Occasionally cages 

are wired shut individually, easily remedied 

with wirecutters. 

In light of the numbers you give, that 

2 people can release 1000 animals in 

15 minutes, what do you feel are the 

reasons behind the abundance of small 

mink releases in which only 1 to 200 

mink are freed? 

I know exactly what this is because I 

almost fell victim to it. None of the 

available literature forewarned of the 

decibel level created by even a few 

dozen mink given their First taste of 

freedom. When you’re in someone’s 

backyard at 1am, and being detected 

means going to prison, if you’re not 

prepared the wall of noise it can be an 

immediate cause for flight. The fear 

dissipated the First time I left a farm 

and became aware that what is deafening 

inside a shed is almost inaudible 

just 25 yards away. 

There are certainly other reasons for 

aborted raids, such as discovery by 

farmers, which has been known to 

happen. Relative to just 20 years ago, 

there are only a handful of farms left 

and I would hope animal liberators 

would invest the preparation time to 

ensure they release 10,000 animals 

over Finding themselves unprepared 

and leaving after releasing only 10. 

What lessons can we learn from the 

past 10+ years of fur farm liberations? 

What have been our mistakes? 

Mistakes: Not maintaining the momentum 

of the mid-to-late-90s that 

would have brought the end of the 

U.S. fur industry.And squandering 

risk-exposure on periphery targets 

(such as fur stores) in areas where 

farms or infrastructure targets are 

within a day’s drive. A mink release 

on the right farm will be a much 

less risky endeavor than breaking the 

windows of a fur store. This is less a 

criticism than a call to cater every action 

for maximum impact. 

Did you issue communiqués for your 

actions? 

We issued no communiqués. There 

are pros and cons to issuing communiqués, 

and for live liberations, I 

see more pros than cons. Generally I 

think communiqués are a necessary 

element to any large-scale, successful 

action. Whatever our reasons at the 

time, we did not make any claims of 

responsibility and were focused solely 

on getting to the next farm. There was 

a plan to issue a communiqué after 

leaving the Midwest, making public all 

the intelligence gathered during our 

investigation of farms - from unknown 

addresses to farm layout and more. 

These notes were confiscated by the 

FBI during the seizure of our vehicle, 

and this information was never made 

public. 

Among fur industry actions you were 

not a part of, which stand out as most 

impressive, and what can we learn 

from them? 

The examples of multiple raids taking 

place back-to-back, such as the 5 

raids that took place in 10 days during 

August of 1998. Anyone who thinks 

fur farmers are on too high alert now 

to successfully empty their farms 

should take note there is no farmer on 

higher alert than one within 3 hours 

drive of a farm that had been raided 

thenight before. Yet still liberators have 

still slipped in, released animals, and 

slipped out undetected.We should have 

an evidentiary basis for our fears, not 

vague assumptions rooted in a defaultbiastowards 

the path of least resistance. 

Offer your analysis of the direction 

mink and fox releases should take in 

the future. 

Bigger raids and more of them. 

There’snothing more to say. 

A.L.F. Communique 

Roessler Bros. Fur Farm Raid 


“The Animal Liberation Front is claiming 

responsibility for the liberation of 

10,000 mink from a Sultan fur farm 

(339th Ave SE - dirt road east of landing 

strip). Fencing was removed and nearly 

every cage opened. It has been shown 

through such efforts as the Mink Rehabilitation 

Project that farm raised mink 

can survive and flourish in the wild. All 

industry responses stating the contrary 

are lies. All institutions of animal exploitation 

- regardless of any attempts to 

conceal their bloody operations - will be 

located and the animals liberated. 

-A.L.F. 

We would also like to express our utter 

contempt for those who cooperate with 

the authorities in their hunt for animal 

liberators - especially snitch Justin Samuel 

of San Diego currently attempting 

to reassimilate into the animal liberation 

movement. May you forever live in guilt, 

shame, and scorn.”

On October 23, 1995 the Animal Liberation 

Front (A.L.F.) opened the cages on the Dargatz 

Mink Farm in British Columbia, Canada freeing 

2,400 mink into the surrounding countryside. 

The liberation from the Dargatz Mink Farm was 

the first in what now has become 12 liberation 

raids by the A.L.F. of fur farms in North 

America in less than a year. The result has been 

the release of approximately 11,000 mink, 30 fox 

and one coyote from the intensive confinement 

that would have lead to death for all prisoners. 

The release of animals from fur farms is nothing 

new. In the former Soviet Union, Iceland, 

mainland Scandinavia, Western Europe, Britain 

and Newfoundland, Animal Liberation raids as 

well as accidental and intentional escapes from 

fur farms have resulted in mink and some fox 

being introduced successfully into the natural 

environment. 

In Britain, the ecological impact of these 

releases has been 

measured, and as 

liberated mink 

conveniently 

fill the ecological 

niche left by 

Britain’s now 

extinct otter 

population, the 

negative impact has been minimal. In Iceland’s 

island ecosystem, and in parts of Scandinavia, 

mink has been slightly more destructive to 

the ecological balance. Never has the question 

of formerly captive minks survivability been 

questioned by those in the know, only the level 

of impact these beautiful fierce predators have as 

they successfully readapt to a wild life. 

NORTH AMERICAN MINK 

In North America, its a whole different story. 

Although there is a Eurasian species, mink are 

believed to be native to North America with 

the theory that the Eurasian species originated 

from North American ancestors who crossed 

the ice bridge between this continent and Asia. 

Previous to the “discovery” of the “New World”, 

mink were one of the many aquatic animals that 

flourished in virtually every lake and waterway 

in North America except the desert regions. 

The war against the mink nation that continues 

today, began when the first Europeans invaded 

their homeland. When the Mayflower first 

rounded Cape Cod, Massachusetts in 1620, 

already Jamestown, Virginia was the hub of 

an extensive fur trade. A price list from 1621 

records mink among other animals fetching up 

to ten shillings apiece on the market to which 

modern day fur farmers can claim as their 

bloody lineage. 

The fur trade can also accept responsibility for 

causing the extinction of the native minks salt 

water cousin, the sea-mink. Nearly twice the 

size of their freshwater relations, and recorded 

as inhabiting the whole Northeastern North 

American Seaboard, and all that remains of this 

being are two skins and a pile of bones. That 

and of course the memory of one furrier who 

before the American Revolution recalls the pelt 

of the sea-mink selling for five guineas. And so 

it is, by the end of the 19th century, fresh-water 

mink were severely depleted from their former 

range in all of North America by a fur industry 

thirsty for the blood of this continents fur 

animals. 

BEGINNINGS OF MINK CAPTIVITY 

Unlike their European and Scandinavian counterparts, 

mink farmers in the United States and 

Canada began the attempted domestication and 

economic exploitation of mink often from live 

captured wild mink populations. In the 1920’s 

this new element to the fur trade began. 

In 1925 Kent Vernon’s family in Northern Utah 

(now president of the Utah fur-breeders Co-Op) 

live-trapped chicken-killing mink from the wild 

and began breeding them in captivity. In 1927 

the U.S. Government opened its Experimental 

Furbearer Research Station in Corvallis, Oregon 

(shutdown by an A.L.F. raid in 1991) and began 

experimentation in different techniques to breed 

wild mink in captivity. With overexploited mink 

populations unable to satisfy the demands of 

an increasing demand for fur, trappers across 

North America began to captive-raise wild mink, 

and in the 1930’s discovered fur mutations that 

altered the minks fur color. Now just 70 short 

years later, mink farmers are still battling the 

still dominant wild DNA of captive mink that 

causes these normally free-roaming solitary 

animals to contract diseases from close confinement, 

self-mutilate and even cannibalize their 

own kind. All for the price of a fur coat. 

MINK INDUSTRY RESEARCH 

Beginning in 1990, I researched mink farms by 

visiting over 25 in Oregon, Washington, Utah, 

Idaho, Montana, and Michigan. What began 

as a quest to document conditions and killing 

techniques on fur farms quickly turned into 

the study of the first ever attempted domestication 

of a North American predator. What I 

learned both by my research and by the rescue 

rehabilitation, and release of sixty mink from 

a Montana farm leads me to conclude that all 

captive mink should be released, in one way or 

another, from their prisons we call fur farms. 

Highly intelligent, fierce and very adaptive, 

mink are anything but successfully domesticated. 

Arguments by the fur industry that mink are 

domesticated are ludicrous. Like all wild animals 

held in captivity, some mink when released from 

their cages will fare better than others. Many 

factors will contribute to successful mink reintroduction 

as does the impact they will have on 

their surrounding eco-system. These are issues 

that I will address in this article. 

INFILTRATION 

In 1990-91, I spoke with many mink farmers 

and researchers who, believing I was a mink 

farmer, instructed me in ways to avoid my mink 

from losing their 

recessive genetic 

structures that 

gave them the fur 

Open the Cages 

From the 1996 essay by Rod Coronado 

quality and color 

variation that 

separated them 

from their wild 

relations. Captive 

mink are genetically 95% similar to their wild 

counterparts. The only difference besides behavior 

being fur color and quality which is solely 

maintained by a scientifically controlled diet, 

which is key to maintaining their genetic differences 

from wild mink. Black and dark mink 

being the closest genetically to wild mink. 

Jim Leischow, a second generation mink farmer 

from Kenosha, Wisconsin described to me in a 

discussion at the 1991 Seattle Fur Exchange auctions 

how without a scientifically controlled diet, 

mink on any fur farm would lose their recessive 

genes, and over-powered by their dominant wild 

genetic structure, return to their wild roots in 

just a few generations. Leischow also detailed 

how a mink escapee that breeds with a wild 

mink would produce offspring that in one more 

generation would have lost all traces of any 

altered genetic structure. 

IMPRISONED MINK STILL WILD 

The difference between mink and other animals 

raised in intensive confinement is totally incomparable. 

Not only are all other domesticated livestock 

ungulated and herbivorous but they have 

also been domesticated for well over a thousand 

years. The closest comparison, which is hardly 

applicable, but for the sake of argument will be 

used, is the domestication of the common house 

cat. Originating in ancient Egypt, the cat has 

had over two thousand years of domestication,

yet still this feline predator is proven capable of 

surviving in the wild as feral populations in the 

U.S. and Britain will attest to. 

Once again, survivability is not the issue but impact 

on their native species. Captive mink are so 

far away from successful domestication that they 

are rarely caged together unless with their own 

off-spring, and then only until they reach sexual 

maturity. Self-mutilation and cannibalism, which 

is not uncommon on mink farms, is yet further 

proof of a wild animals’ behavior as it attempts 

to deal with the neurosis caused by intensive 

confinement. Anyone who has ever been on a 

mink farm has heard the incessant scratching 

mink will make as they attempt to escape or 

attack their captive neighbors, separated only by 

a plastic or metal divider. This also is common 

behavior of a wild predator unfamiliar with 

close proximity to others of its own species. The 

psychological as well as physical torture associated 

with the confinement of mink naturally 

accustomed to solitary wandering is beyond our 

comprehension. 

Genetically speaking mink are predominately 

still wild. Separated from their wild ancestors 

only by a controlled diet. Physiologically they 

are identical. What remains as the greatest division 

between wild and captive mink is predatory 

instincts and natural behavior which dictates 

how they hunt, find shelter, build nests and 

forage. Fear of other animals is minimal as mink 

are renowned for their fearlessness. 

MINK REHABILITATION PROJECT 

These separations were the basis of personal 

research into the potential for rehabilitation 

and release of the 60 mink I had purchased in 

Montana in 1990. The Coalition Against Fur 

Farms (CAFF) began as a rehabilitation project, 

the objective being to determine the feasibility 

to reintroduce native mink from fur farms back 

into their natural habitat. In January of 1991 the 

trials began as CAFF volunteers placed mink 

in cages four times as large as their previous 

enclosures and introduced natural objects such 

as logs, rocks, plants, and gallon baths. 

Fur farmers had assured me that escaped captive 

mink had at least a 50% chance of survival, and 

CAFF hoped to increase that figure as much as 

possible. The introduction of a 12”x6” bathtubs 

allowed the mink their first opportunity 

to acquaint themselves with water besides that 

which came from a small water nozzle or dish. 

Their response was to fully submerge themselves 

and spin in a cycle that quickly splashed all 

water out of their baths. This would be followed 

by grooming sessions in which the mink dried 

themselves and maintained utmost cleanliness, 

yet another sign of a healthy wild animal. 

Open the Cages 

Once the mink had built up muscular strength 

after their time in a fur farms cramped conditions, 

we began to nurture hunting instincts. 

Though morally opposed to the killing of 

animals, CAFF felt that the survival of our 

captive mink could not be guaranteed without 

a minimal amount of live-animal feeding. We 

knew that our project would later be used by 

others to determine the potential for successful 

reintroduction of fur farm prisoners, and so 

chose to do everything possible to ensure not 

only their survival but also their survival without 

human dependency. This also meant live-feeding 

which would teach them how to hunt rather 

than scrounge near or where humans were. This 

would ensure greater independence and less likelihood 

of human/mink interactions. 

The mink in our project dug into their instinctual 

memory to remind themselves how to 

first seize the prey with one bite, then without 

releasing it, crush down until the skull or neck 

was broken. Then the mink would scour the 

logs and rocks for others that may have gone 

unnoticed. Once assured of no other present 

prey, the mink would return to the kill and eat 

everything or place the remainder in its nest 

just like wild mink. Once the mink had learned 

to kill and had tasted live food, they refused to 

eat the scientific diet we had been supplied by 

National Fur Feeds. 

THE RELEASE 

Finally, we released the mink to natural 

waterways across the Northwest’s many forest 

lands. Always far from human habitations. And 

never within a 5-mile radius of another captive 

released mink of the opposite sex. We wanted 

to ensure the breeding only with wild mink. We 

also waited until the natural breeding season 

had passed so as not to burden the mink with 

the upbringing of offspring in their first season 

of freedom. 

Our mink releases were filled with encouraging 

signs that the mink would survive. On one 

release a mink quickly found an abandoned animal 

burrow, and as we left we could see its head 

peeking out watching our departure. Another 

release had a young female mink burrowing 

under a log, gathering twigs and grass building 

a nest. Still another mink found a mouse hole, 

and burying its nose in it began to dig frantically. 

On many releases near streams the mink 

were quick to explore the shore of the water, 

eventually plunging in and swimming completely 

submerged playing with pebbles and rocks 

with their forepaws. Returning to one release 

site weeks later I quickly found mink droppings 

and tracks near the creek and the dropping 

contained hair from a preyed upon animal. Most 

of the behavior exhibited by our mink was not 

learned, but simply returned to them as they 

found themselves in their natural element. 

THOUGHTS ON LIBERATIONS 

It is my belief that the liberator becomes responsible 

for the lives of the liberated when she/he 

endeavors to free them. Ideally, the liberated will 

become truly independent of human needs and 

achieve complete liberation. But until then, there 

are a number of factors that liberators can influence 

to increase the possibilities of a liberated 

mink’s survival. 

The time of year the liberations take place is the 

highest priority. The best time being May and 

January, the worst being during the breeding 

and kit-bearing season. Releasing an impregnated 

mink increases the needs of the liberated 

mink for food and shelter, female mink naturally 

raise their kits alone. Releasing mink once 

they have given birth to a litter will also mean 

abandonment of kits, although some might be 

foster-raised by another mink mother. 

Of course, it cannot be over-looked that all 

captive minks are destined for death, and there 

is room for debate as to which kind of death 

is more desirable, a mink being the only one 

to surely know. Still I have hesitated to release 

mink from fur farms near heavily traveled roads 

knowing a large number would become road 

kills. This is yet another moral dilemma the 

liberator must face when they decide to open 

the cages. Personally, I have seen mink watching 

as the gas-chambers are wheeled down the rows 

of cage, and seen them screech frantically and 

attempt all manner of last minute escape as it 

becomes painfully evident that they will die. 

There is also the very compelling argument for 

liberation that even with the recapture of 100% 

of all released mink from a targeted farm, that 

the breeding has still been completely disrupted 

as farmers have no way of separately identifying 

their breeder mink from their pelter mink. 

A mink raised to be pelted will often be in a 

much smaller cage than a breeder mink. For 

this reason, liberators would do best by releasing 

mink from both large and small mink cages so 

as to confuse the two. As of yet mink farmers 

have not devised methods of tagging, branding 

or tattooing individual animals except for 

labeling on the cage. For this reason it is always 

advantageous to remove all record-keeping cards 

from cages when releasing mink. 

Transportation of mink either a short distance 

from cage to guard fence or a larger distance 

is best achieved by securing the mink individually 

in its nestbox. A small flat piece of sheet 

metal is often used to divide and block the hole 

leading from the nestbox to cage at which point 

the nestbox can them be removed and the hold 

blocked with a gloved hand or more permanent 

4

ASE 

bobcat, and lynx farm liberations are not only a blow 

and boldface lies. They point their 

released the mink to natural waterways to a fur farmers’ profits, but also a boost to North 

fingers with blood stained hands. There 

orthwest’s many means forest for long lands. transportation. Always far Despite America’s the ravaged average environment. liberators aversion With an to absence leather, of nothing is no protects defensible human case skin for better the than taking a thick of pair of leather welding 

n habitations. gloves And never which within usually a 5-mile can be found natural lying predators, around a prey mink populations farm. With often criminal explode DNA testing innocent liberators life. Furthermore, should take every there precaution is no not to leave a blood 

other captive trail released of their mink own. of the Remember, opposite you causing are dealing undue harm with to a wild their predator environment. unfamiliar By releas- to kind defensible human hands. argument against militant 

nted to ensure the breeding only with wild ing fur farm prisoners, liberators are guardians of 

intervention to prevent this atrocity. 

lso waited until Often the natural given the breeding choice, season a mink will healthy leave eco-systems. the immediate area once outside of the guard fence, which usually is a 5-6 foot fence lined with sheet metal 

to prevent escape should mink get out of their cage. If left inside the guard fence often When a mink mink will are linger no simply longer because kept 4 of to the a 

so as not to burden the mink with the up- Before one single animal abuser can argue the merits 

smell of food or other 

mink cages, and also because of the small wire cage, when chickens familiarity are of its no 

offspring in their first season of freedom. of a captive fur animal’s impact on the natural envi- 

own nestbox which is all 

it has ever known. 

longer kept packed in battery cages, 

eleases were filled with encouraging signs ronment, they must first address the overall impact 

when we stop calling dead animals food, 

nk would survive. On one release a mink the whole domestic livestock industry has had on 

Once a large number of mink have when the blood stops spilling left the guard - these fence area the quickest 

nd an abandoned method animal of burrow, natural and distribution as is the earth. It is no coincidence that the number one 

actions outside the law waterways. will no longer Without be interference from 

could see its the head irate peeking mink out farmers watching attempting reason to behind predator eradication is the protec- 

needed. Until then, we recapture will be tearing his furry up investments, mink 

re. Another will release not had overcrowd a young female themselves in tion the of politically powerful livestock interests. Still it 

fences, breaking down wild. walls, It and is not open- uncommon for a mink to 

wing under a travel log, gathering 5 miles in twigs one and night grass (they remains are that for the mink nations of North America 

ing cages to free the animals. mostly nocturnal) Terrorism and a large number 

est. Still another of mink released found a mouse in one hole, area will the not shortest path on the road to animal liberation lies 

against non-human animals stay concentrated will be met but will travel until 

its nose in it they began establish to dig frantically. a territory On all their from own, the opened cage to the outlying guard fence. 

searching out other mink only to breed. 

with liberation. In this struggle for life 

ses near streams the mink were quick to Now it is time for liberators across the continent to 

ECOLOGICAL IMPACT 

against greed, compassion over sadism, 

shore of the water, eventually plunging follow the lead of the A.L.F. in British Columbia, 

our only recourse is to ignore laws and 

ming completely submerged playing with Washington, Utah, Wisconsin, Tennessee, New York, 

This leads us to the issue of ecological risk our freedom to save impact lives. caused Were by you mass mink liberations 

rocks with their forepaws. Returning and Minnesota and take action to liberate the four- 

on their new environment. There in a cage, whose side would will be you noticeable be on? impact on local prey 

ase site weeks later I quickly found mink legged prisoners from the war on nature. 

populations, and for this reason, - A.L.F” 

liberators should research target areas to 

nd tracks near guarantee the creek that and the dropping Until all fur farm prisoners are free.... Open the 

sensitive habitat of a vulnerable endangered species is 

air from a preyed not nearby. upon animal. Mink Most will attack of the almost Cages!!! 

anything, I’ve seen mink chasing large 

hibited by our dogs mink and was heard not learned, a story but of one seen 

 

flying A.L.F. through Communique 

A.L.F.Communique 

the air attached to the leg 

rned to them of as a they large found heron, themselves the mink in unwilling 

Scott Nelson Mink Farm Raid, Ellsworth IA 

Re-liberation of all recaptured mink 

to release its targeted prey. 


l element. 

 


 

Mink will kill beyond their need, and for this reason caution should be 

CAL IMPACT taken when releasing mink near large concentrations of small animals. Mink are 

s to the issue ferocious. of ecological Long impact persecuted caused at the “Fences hands of surrounding man, native predators the farm are were continually cut routinely “The first killed time by ranchers we visited and other the Scott gun-toting Nelhumans. 

Much like 

nk liberations the on coyote their new has environment. filled the ecological away, niche every the wolf cage has opened, left behind and and 2000 by doing mink so extended son Mink its own Ranch, historical we opened range, so every also do cage mink have the potential 

to fit nicely into the niche otters ran and to other freedom. predators These have left animals as their were numbers are on continually the property. reduced We by humans. intended Native to close mink the populations are still 

be noticeable impact on local prey popula- 

drastically reduced, and given large-scale kept 3 and mink 4 liberations, to a small individual wire mesh mink cage. are sure place to redistribute down. Unfortunately themselves to their some former of habitat the with a little help 

or this reason, liberators should research 

from their two-legged friends. Their rescue came at the final hour, only 

mink were recaptured. To demonstrate 

to guarantee that the sensitive habitat of 

our complete seriousness regarding the 

a month from a violent death in the 

e endangered There species should is not nearby. not be Mink hesitation to reintroduce captive mink into their native habitat. freedom The ideal of environment these animals being and underdeveloped contempt 

pelting season. Captive- bred mink are 

areas with a nearby 

almost anything, water I’ve source seen mink and chasing infrequently used roads. As A.L.F. liberators open the cages, they for not the only people liberate responsible an individual animal for these but hor- 

closely related to their wild ancestors 

the whole species. Mink, 

nd heard a story fox, of bobcat, one seen and flying lynx through farm liberations are not only a blow to a fur farmers’ profits, rible but also places a boost we, to again, North visited America’s the ravaged fur farm environment. With an 

and have been shown to retain survival 

hed to the leg absence of a large of heron, natural the predators, mink prey populations often explode causing undue harm to and their opened environment. every By cage releasing on the fur property. farm prisoners, liberators are 

o release its targeted guardians prey. of healthy eco-systems. instincts when released - ensuring these We demand these mink are allowed to 

liberated prisoners will live and thrive. 

ill beyond their need, and for this reason 

remain free. A.L.F.” 

uld be taken Before when releasing one single mink animal near abuser The can argue fur industry the merits will of a move captive to fur condemn animal’s impact on the natural environment, they must first address the overall 

ntrations of small impact animals. the whole Mink domestic are fero- livestock this industry action, has using had misleading on the earth. half-truths It is no coincidence 

The that next the number day, the one farm reason announced behind its predator closure. eradication is the 

protection of politically powerful livestock interests. Still it remains that for the mink nations of North America the shortest path on the road to animal 

persecuted at the hands of man, native 

liberation lies from the opened cage to the outlying guard fence. 

re continually routinely killed by ranchers 

un-toting humans. Now it Much is time like for the liberators coyote has 

ological niche across the wolf the has continent left behind to follow and 

extended its the own lead historical of the range, A.L.F. so in also Brit- 

ve the potential ish to Columbia, fit nicely into Washington, the niche 

ther predators Utah, have Wisconsin, left as their Tennessee, numbers 

ally reduced New by humans. York, Native and Minnesota mink 

are still drastically and take reduced, action and to given liberate 

mink liberations, the four-legged individual mink prisoners are sure 

ute themselves from to their the war former on habitat nature. with 

from their two-legged friends. 

Until all fur farm prisoners 

ld not be hesitation to reintroduce captive 

are free.... Open the Cages!!! 

heir native habitat. The ideal environunderdeveloped 

areas with a nearby 

e and infrequently used roads. As A.L.F. 

pen the cages, they not only liberate an 

nimal but the whole species. Mink, fox, 

Sketch of Otts Mink Ranch in Tomahawk, Wisconsin

Fur Farm Liberations: Myth Vs. Fact 

Myth: Liberated mink will cause irreparable harm to the ecosystem. 

Fact: This argument is usually preceded by the claim that the 

mink will starve to death because they haven’t been taught to 

kill. If they don’t know how to hunt, then they cannot kill wildlife. 

The truth is that mink kill out of instinct, much as does the 

domestic cat. No training or rehabilitation is necessary. 

So do liberated mink kill wildlife? Of course they hunt wildlife. 

They are predators, and they help maintain the balance of nature 

by killing and eating prey animals. Yet they do not pose a threat 

to any particular species as a whole. Mink are not specialized 

predators. Certain predators, like lynx, will have a principal 

prey that they rely on. Lynx will usually only eat snowshoe hare, 

otter normally eat fish, etc. On the other hand, the mink will eat 

anything. Examination of mink scat shows they will eat mammals, 

fish, birds, reptiles and amphibians. They do not specialize, 

but rather eat whatever is most readily available. If liberated 

mink ate too many field mice, then it would be easier for them to 

then hunt nesting birds, fish, or even snakes. When the population 

of one food source grows low, mink will instinctively hunt 

what is more abundant, and therefore easier to find. 

Furthermore, the mink is a solitary animal. The only time one 

will see mink together is when they are mating, or in the weeks 

immediately following their birth, when the mother is still caring 

for her kits. When released, mink go in search of their own 

habitat and will not tolerate the presence of other mink. Mink 

Why fur farms? 

While no worse than any other factory farm, fur farms offer the 

Animal Liberation Front what is perhaps the greatest effort-to-yield 

ratio of any possible action, allowing a small number of people to 

save thousands of animals in very short time. Rescuing irreversibly 

domesticated animals brings the burden of having to home them, 

greatly limiting the number that can be saved. With the revelation in 

the 1990s that fur farmed animals can survive in the wild, the ALF 

had for the first time an option to save thousands of animals in one 

night. When combined with most people being within day’s drive 

of a fur farm, and the industry’s overall fragility, a fur farm raid is 

among the most high-impact options for the Animal Liberation Front. 

How long does releasing mink take? 

One source stated that in his experience, two people can release 

1,000 mink every 15 minutes, or 4,000 mink an hour. By this 

formula, four people can release 2,000 mink every 15 minutes, or 

8,000 an hour. 

normally have a range of just under 3 square kilometers. Being 

so spaced apart, it is unrealistic to assume that the mink could 

have enough of an impact on any particular species to make a 

noticeable difference. 

This doesn’t have to be a hypothetical argument based on 

interpretations of scientific literature. Mink have been released 

in large numbers, so where is the damage? The fact is, there isn’t 

any. We know they have survived. But yet we aren’t seeing this 

ecological damage the fur trade has predicted. In fact, the A.L.F. 

has done the earth a favor by raiding these farms. In addition to 

stopping the mass accumulation of animal wastes by shutting 

these places down, they have re-introduced mink to areas where 

they had been nearly wiped out. For example, the A.L.F. freed 

400 mink from a fur farm in Sheboygan, WI. At roughly the 

same time there was concern about the lack of mink along the 

Sheboygan River. The A.L.F. was the only relief that river has 

gotten, in regards to that particular problem. It is estimated that 

as few as 150 lynx may still exist in Montana, yet the state still allows 

a trapping season. 

Montana is the home of several lynx fur farms, and there is 

likely more lynx in captivity than in the wild. The lynx is only a 

few short generations out of the wild and even the Forest Service 

has considered using ranch lynx for reintroduction. Imagine 

what direct action groups could do without all of the red tape 

and bureaucracy. 

Until the last cage is empty...... 

Five Questions: Lightning Round 

What does a fur farm look like? 

The makeup is generally crude, with rows of sheds surrounded by 

a fence. A small processing and storage building is usually present. 

They are nearly always visible from the road. Generally a farmer’s 

house will be on-site, but not always. 

Are sheds ever locked? How do I get in? 

Sheds are the most common structure used to house mink. Other 

structures include outdoor cages, and large canopy-style barns. 

Whatever the case, they are nearly always easily accessible. 

Because of the biology of mink, sheds usually must be porous and 

allow outside air to come in. In the rare event a shed door is locked 

(or even has a door), they can usually be accessed from the sides, 

which are generally only partially walled-off to allow outside air in. 

What if I get caught? 

The animals don’t need excuses. And almost no one gets caught.

With the few fur industry 

targets remaining, aim for 

actions of greatest im- 

pact. Spray painting a feed 

supplier will be of little 

effect, and leave those 

who may one day attempt a 

significant action to deal 

wit increased security. 

Think big. 

Act big.

All actions against animal abuse industries are motivated by one goal: To 

save lives. Whether in the short term (mink liberation) or the long term 

(destruction of a feed supplier), 

A look at the most commonly imprisoned animals on US fur farms: 

Mink 

By far the most common. Over 90% of the addresses here are for farms that only imprison mink. Over 3 

million mink are killed on US fur farms annually (with the number rising due to a surge in demand from 

China). 

Released mink will make a lot of noise in large numbers, and will fight each other. They will attack fingers 

/ gloves through the cages, however seem to grow more “friendly” when released, and there have been no 

reports of mink attacking the feet / ankles of their liberators during a raid. 

Fox 

Because the industry is so small, there are no USDA statistics or other reliable figures on the number of 

foxes killed for fur. What is known is that fox farms are few and far between. Most fox farms are small 

backyard operations, with the largest known fox farm having close to 1,000 foxes (compared to the large 

mink farm, with over 120,000). 

This niche of the fur industry is more difficult to track than mink, and it is possible only a small percentage 

of the actual number of fox farms is currently known. 

Those we fight for 

Fur farm prisoners: A species overview 

Unlike mink, foxes are extremely timid and may not leave their cages immediately when released - if at all. 

Every effort should be made to coax them out, or physically remove them from the property if possible. 

The primary advantage to raiding a fox farm over a mink farm is that foxes are silent, and can be released 

without concern for awakening a fur farmer. 

Miscellaneous species 

Other species can be raised for fur, including coyotes, bobcats, and lynx. Information on lynx farms is very 

sparse. It was previously believed the largest (and one of the only) lynx farms in the country was the Fraser 

Fur Farm in Ronan, MT. New information indicates the farm may only imprison bobcats (which are nearly 

identical in appearance). The only farm confirmed to imprison lynx presently is the Schultz Fur Farm in 

Arnegard, North Dakota. Information on bobcat farms is nearly as scarce. Coalition Against Fur Farms has 

posted the addresses of dozens of bobcat farms, however the purpose of individual farms (fur or otherwise) 

isn’t known. 

One reason for the low number of lynx and bobcat fur farms, despite the high value of their pelts, is that 

they sell for a much higher amount when bred as pets. There are many large cat breeders across the country 

who breed domesticated bobcat and lynx, and some such farms that have been investigated have been found 

to be pet breeders.

Evasion and Circumvention 

Fur Farm Security: A Synopsis 

Since the tidal wave of mink releases in the 1990s, which 

saw dozens of farms raided and many farms shut down 

forever, fur farms have taken steps to increase security. But 

not as much as would be expected. With approximately 90 

raids and 270 mink farms remaining, every farm that’s left 

faces a very real threat of being hit by the ALF eventually. 

Yet one puzzling reality remains: Almost no fur farms have 

security. Why? 

The reality is, fur farms operate on such a razor-thin profit 

margin that most simply cannot afford it. The rest arrogantly 

believe the ALF will never come to their farm, despite statistics 

that don’t offer them the best odds. 

Most fur farms are small family operations, and are either 

unaware of the threats or unable to afford to effectively 

prevent them. What this amounts to is that only a very small 

fraction of farms in the US utilize electronic or human 

security. 

And when they do, the ALF has shown themselves to be 

capable of effectively circumventing it. Rick Aritolla of the 

Aritolla Mink Ranch reported his farm had a sophisticated 

motion-sensor security system in place before raiders released 

10,000 mink there in 1997. 

The best overview of fur farm security from the farmers 

perspective comes from a leaked document called “Site Security 

and Protocols”, published by the Fur Commission USA. 

This document was intended for distribution to fur farmers 

only, and reveals exactly what the largest fur farm trade 

group recommends farmers use to protect against the ALF 

(though almost none seem to heed their advice). 

Fences 

The most common deterrent, present at over 95% of all 

fur farms (yet there remain farms that do not even take this 

minimal precaution). 

Each fence is unique, and a close look at 

the design should reveal the best approach 

to stripping it away. Remember the 

number of animals that escape is directly 

proportionate to the amount of fencing 

that is removed. 

Fences charged with electricity are not 

uncommon. Generally only one or a small 

number of wires are charged and can be 

avoided. 

Fencing 

alarms 

There are no 

known reports 

of these being 

used, however 

the Fur Commissionrecommends 

them. 

These involve 

use of a wire 

which, if cut, 

activates the 

alarm system. 

Photoelectric motion sensors. Advertising 

literature reads: “Create a fence 

you can’t even see.” 

Photoelectric Sensors 

These are invisible beams projected from small black boxes, 

usually positioned in the corners of the farm (inside the 

fence). These are extremely rare, however they have been 

reported at farms in the Northwest and at at least one farm 

in the Midwest. Some have reported success dropping to the 

ground and rolling under the beam. However other alarms 

appear to have a fan-shaped scope of coverage, where this 

would not be effective. As with any invisible-yet-potential 

threat, one can carry out the action that would trigger the 

alarm, then retreat to await a response. If there is no response, 

it can be presumed the alarm was bypassed. 

Dogs 

The occasional farm will have a dog loose among the sheds. 

Effective approaches for managing loud or threatening animals 

will vary by situation. Optimally, dogs can be tethered 

to the fence using an animal control-style emergency leash 

used for dangerous animals. 

Cameras 

Occasionally farms have video cameras. Farmers have also 

been advised by police to install still or video cameras triggers 

by motion. Note that the Fur Commission 

also advises the use of fake cameras for farms 

that can’t afford real ones. 

Security Guards 

Another extremely rare form of security. There 

is evidence some larger farms have hired overnight 

security guards, particularly during pelting 

season. This is cost-prohibitive for all but the 

largest farms, yet sufficient reconnaissance 

should be employed before advancing on a 

larger farm to ensure no one is on site. Remember 

there is nothing that can’t be circumvented 

with enough finesse. 

19

Going for the Throat 

Highlights From The Frontlines 

Drewelow & Sons Farm Raid 

New Hampton, Iowa 


14,000 mink released 

Largest animal release in North America to date. 

Days after the raid, the farmer reported 7,000 

mink were still free. 

Simultaneous Actions in Wisconsin 

United Feeds arson 

and 

Release of 3,000 mink 

Plymouth, WI 


As fire destroyed the cooperatively owned United 

Feeds mink feed operation, 3,000 mink were released 

from the nearby Gene Meyer Fur Farm.The 

simultaneous action saw the total destruction of the 

feed operation, jointly owned by over 20 mink 

farmers in a regioin with one of the highest concerntrations 

of fur farms in the country. Addition- 

ally, Gene Meyer announced in the wake of the 

action he could not survive the loss of profits and 

would be closing. 

Scott Nelson fur farm double raid 

Ellsworth, IA 



Release of 2,000 mink 

Subsequent release of 1,600 mink 

The Animal Liberation Front took credit for 

the overnight release of every animal at the Scott 

Nelson mink farm. In the media the following 

day, Nelson announced most of the animals had 

been recaptured. The ALF returned 4 days later 

and re-liberated every animal. The following 

day, Scott Nelson announced the farm would be 

closing. 

Operation Bite Back 

Nationwide 

June 1991 to October 1992 

• Oregon State University Experimental 

Fur Farm 

• Northwest Farm Foods 

• Washington State University 

• Malecky Mink Ranch 

• Michigan State University 

• USDA Predator Research Station 

• Utah Fur Breeder’s Cooperative 

• Rocky Mountain Fur Company 

Operation Bite Back was a campaign to destroy 

the fur industry, brought to five states over 16 

months. Using arson, liberations, and theft and 

destruction of documents; 7 key points in the fur 

industry were targeted in an attempt to completely 

eradicate the fur industry’s research apparatus. 

Rodney Coronado was indicted for his role in this 

campaign, and sentenced to 57 months in prison. 

0

Media Work 

Media coordination adds impact to an action. Releasing 5,000 animals 

brings immediate relief to those animals. National media attention brings 

to animal liberation message to millions, deals a public-relations blow to the 

fur industry, deters animal flesh or skin consumption among the public, 

and keeps the plight of animals a part of the public dialogue. This has the 

potential to indirectly save thousands or millions of more animals. 

The following can be incorporated into an action to ensure maximum 

impact: 

Photos 

Documenting the conditions on a fur farm with photographs, and documenting 

the raid itself, can inspire activists and educate the public when 

the documentation is distributed to supportive above-ground groups and 

the media. 

Video 

When clandestine raiders released 2,000 mink from the Scott Nelson 

mink farm in Ellsworth, Iowa; they took video of the raid, released it 

to the media, and gave millions of people their first glimpse inside a fur 

farm. Video is only reasonable at farms so small that one person working 

a camera will not directly translate to few cages that will be opened – i.e. 

those farms guaranteed to be emptied even with one 

fewer hand. 

Communiques 

Issuing a communique 

detailing an action and 

the intentions behind 

it serve several functions. 

One, it gives 

those behind anonymous 

actions a voice. 

The media can and 

does broadcast content 

from communiques 

and incorporates them into their coverage, 

making your motivations clear, and countering the industry’s inaccurate 

assertions of the ALF’s motives being anything other than compassion. 

Two, they serve as an inspiration for others. Three, working information 

into communiques can be effective to disseminate valuable info to the 

activist community – info such as farm addresses and closures. (Anyone 

with new updates for our fur farm list is encouraged to distribute the info 

widely, preferably in the form of a communique claiming an action.) 

Communiques can be distributed via email using the anonymizing service 

TOR, or by mail. (See the Without a Trace section for a list of precautions.) 

These can be sent to the media directly, or the Animal Liberation 

Press Office (who will take it from there). 

Due to the research of a handful of dedicated 

individuals, we are closer to a complete 

list of US fur farms now than any 

point in history. However, there are farms 

that have so far flown under the radar. 

DIY Research 

A few tactics to discover new farms and 

supplement this list: 

Follow feed supply trucks. 

We are including a list of the known feed 

suppliers, whose trucks must regularly 

visit the majority of fur farms in the US 

– those farms known and unknown. 

Media reports. 

Recently, a new fur farm was learned of 

when an empty shed caught fire and the 

media made public it’s location. Check 

news reports regularly. 

Business entity searches. 

Every state has a means by which individuals 

can review lists of licensed businesses in 

the state. Often these are available online. 

Social engineering. 

Sometimes the best way to learn something 

is to ask. 

Satellite images. 

Farms often cluster together. If you think 

there may be undiscovered mink farms in 

a particular area. Google satellite images 

should reveal their location. Mink sheds 

have a very telltale appearance which is 

generally obvious from above . One can 

aerially scan a large area for sheds in only 

a few minutes. 

Ingenuity 

Ask yourself who has the information 

you seek, and how you can get it. The best 

intelligence often comes out of the greatest 

ingenuity. 

Hawkeye Mink Feed Cooperative, Jewel IA 

Broken into, fur farm addresses taken 2002 

25

The fur Farm List 

A History 

Hidden from public view is 

the secret (and rich) history 

of the fur farm list. Unlike 

other industries, whose addresses are 

compiled by industry and governments 

and readily available, fur farm addresses 

are heavily guarded. Fur farmers are 

instructed to never post their address 

online, to be weary of phone calls from 

anyone asking their address, and never 

reveal their locations even in insider 

trade journals. The industry is so small 

and decentralized, there may be less than 

a half dozen people – if any - who have 

the “master list.” 

Then how did activists obtain these 

addresses? From what little we know, it 

wasn’t easy. 

The first known lists of fur farms began 

to circulate in the early-1990s, released 

by Rod Coronado and his group Coalition 

Against Fur Farms (CAFF). 

They enjoyed limited circulation, yet 

represented the first times addresses of 

fur farms and infrastructure targets had 

been made public. The Coalition to 

Abolish the Fur Trade (CAFT) and 

other groups distributed these lists over 

the next several years. 

Then, in 1996, came The Final Nail #1. 

It was the first fur farm list distributed 

on a large scale, compiling the address 

of every known fur farm, feed supplier, 

fur industry researcher, and more. The 

results were instant and historic: in the 

2.5 years that followed, there were over 

50 raids of fur farms across the US. But 

where did the addresses come from? 

It is widely speculated that the addresses 

in the original Final Nail (which form the 

foundation for the lists we have today), 

were derived from documents removed 

from fur industry research labs during 

Operation Bite Back (see Going for the 

Throat – Highlights From the Frontlines). 

This is what we do know: The Final 

Nail #1 and #2 (released in 1997) were 

compiled by Darren Thurston, a former 

ALF prisoner form Canada. After another 

arrest for ALF actions in 20005, 

he admitted to the FBI that he created 

The Final Nail. Thurston turned informant 

and implicated others. After his 

release from prison he appears to have 

vanished from the animal liberation 

movement. 

The Final Nail #3 was released in the 

summer of 2008. It offered the first (and 

largest) fur farm list update since 1996, 

with over 100 new fur farms. It is believed 

this windfall of new information 

came from two sources: The combined 

notes of several ALF operatives over the 

previous 12 years of fur farm raids (the 

introduction stated “this information 

was pooled from... numerous individuals, 

none of whom will be revealed to 

protect those guilty of transgressing 

unjust laws”), and documents obtained 

from the break-in at the Hawkeye Mink 

Cooperative in Jewel, Iowa (2003). 

Around this time, a new website, 

FinalNail.com (unrelated to the print 

version) launched, and continues to this 

day. The site is frequently updated with 

new fur farm addresses as they become 

known. The majority of new fur farm 

addresses from 2008 to 2013 

have debuted on this site. One 

recent update included over 60 

previously unknown mink farms. 

In 2009, the Fur Farm Intelligence 

Project was launched, which sought to 

close the intelligence gaps and offer the 

largest and most detailed fur farm list 

ever compiled. The project added a road 

trip component, where over 200 fur 

farms were visited in person to confirm 

their “open” or “closed’ status. This 

cleaned up the list significantly, with 

many farms that had lingered for years 

without having been confirmed were 

found to have been empty for years. 

Dozens of new farms were also uncovered, 

and hundreds of photos taken. 

An anonymous group calling itself 

The Fur Farm Intelligence Unit issued 

communiques with new fur farm 

addresses, starting in 2009. In one 

from 2012, they released the addresses 

of over 90 (unconfirmed) fox farms. 

Within weeks, one of the farms that 

debuted on the list – the Scott Dean fox 

farm in Elkton, VA – was raided, with 

13 foxes released. 

In 2012, the publisher of the first fur 

farm lists, Coalition Against Fur 

Farms, was resurrected by all new 

volunteers. The groups continues 

where the previous incarnation left off, 

tracking the fur industry and regularly 

publishing new addresses on its website 

as they become known. 

The editors of The Final Nail #4 have 

brought together the work of everyone 

above to bring the most comprehensive 

and detailed fur farm list to date. Much 

of the how-to material from #3 was 

borrowed, with many updates added. 

We release this volume in honor of the 

work, sacrifices, triumphs and losses of 

those who have at times risked everything 

to bring us the addresses contained 

herein. This is for them, and the 

animals we all fight for.

Arkansas 

Elmore Farm 

1400 Hwy. 96 W 

Mansfield, AR 72944 

Contact: Lesley O. Elmore 

Notes: Mink farm. Farm may be closed 

(investigation needed) 

California 

Fur Information Council of America 

8424-A Santa Monica Blvd., Suite 860 

West Hollywood, CA 90069 

Phone: (323) 782-1700 or (323) 848-7940 

Fax: (323) 651-1417 

Contact: Keith Kaplan, Executive Director 

Notes: FICA describes its mission as, “to 

perform the following: a) protect and 

improve the public and internal image 

of the fur industry; b) promote public 

understanding of the principles of wildlife 

management and conservation as they 

relate to the fur industry; c) protect furriers 

from harassment and illegal activity 

by anti-fur protestors, demonstrators and 

activists; and d) develop and coordinate 

cooperation within the fur industry.” 

Georgia 

Branson W. Ritchie 

University of Georgia 

College of Veterinary Medicine 

Department of Small Animal Medicine 

and Surgery 

501 D.W. Brooks Drive, Room H316 

Athens, GA 30602 

Phone: (706) 542-6316 

E-mail: britchie@uga.edu 

Notes: Fur industry researcher. Dr. 

Ritchie is involved in a research project 

studying the Aleutian mink disease virus. 

New fur industry researcher, according to 

the Fur Farm Intelligence Unit: “Richie 

has volunteered his research skills to the 

mink industry as part of the proposed 

Mink Genome Project. This project aims 

to alleviate the industry of one of its 

biggest threats: aleutian disease. He has 

offered cell mediated research to isolate 

mink genes that are resistant to AD. This 

research will be done in partnership with 

Dr. John Easley of Plymouth, Wisconsin, 

who is also a leading expert in mink disease. 

Ritchie is awaiting funding from the 

Fur Commission USA’s research commit- 

Fur Farm List 

tee before the Mink Genome Project is 

launched.” 

Idaho 

Jack Rose, Professor of Physiology 

Department of Biological Sciences 

Idaho State University 

Gale Life Sciences Bldg., Room 306/307 

650 Memorial Drive 

Pocatello, ID 83209 

Phone: (208) 282-4261 

Notes: Fur industry researcher. Received 

$6,000 grant from Fur Commission USA 

in 2010. Dr. Rose has received funding 

from the fur industry for many years 

to study reproduction in mink. Obtains 

research mink from Moyle Minkery. 

Note about Franklin, Idaho: 

This small town on the Utah border has 

11 known mink farms, many of them 

small, micro-operations scattered around 

downtown. Police reports document a 

release of 30 mink from an unspecified 

Franklin fur farm on July 13th, 2010. 

Rock Ridge Farms 

312 Parkinson Road 

Franklin, ID 83237 

Phone: (208) 646-2559 

Contact: Todd M. Hansen 

Notes: Mink farm. 

Hobbs Fur Farm 

331 Parkinson Road 


Phone: (208) 646-2418 

Fax: (208) 646-2688 

Contact: Boyd T. Hobbs 

Notes: Mink and fox farm. Located on 

east side of Parkinson & Little Mountain 

Roads. Confirmed open (summer 2009). 

Kevin Hobbs Fur Farm 

4175 S. Parkinson Road 


Contact: Kevin Hobbs 

Notes: Mink farm. Confirmed open 

(summer 2009). 

Hobbs Furs 

24 North 1st East 


Phone: (208) 646-2401 

Contact: Jeffrey T. Hobbs 

Notes: Mink farm. Also, “pick your own” 

pumpkins and squash. 

Newbold Fur Farm 

30 North 1st East 


Phone: (208) 646-2439 

Contact: Eva Gene Newbold, Don Newbold, 

Jr. 


Brets Mink Ranch 

2904 South 2800 East 


Phone: (208) 646-2513 or (208) 646-2634 

Contact: Bret D. & Annette Hansen 

Notes: Located just south of E. Cub 

River Road. 

Roger Griffeth 

38 W. Main 


Phone: (208) 646-2245 


Kingsford & Son 

250 South 1st East 


Phone: (208) 646-2323 

Contact: Larry & Marlene Kingsford 


Whitehead Mink Ranch 

205 South 2nd East 


Phone: (208) 646-2489 

Contact: Jerry Whitehead 

Scot Hansen 

244 South 2nd East 


Phone: (208) 760-0213 


Hawkes Fur Ranch 

3647 East Maple Creek Road 


Phone: (208) 646-2423 

Contact: Jerry Hawkes, David Hawkes 


Ch Farm & Fur 

1917 One Mile Road 

Grace, ID 83241 

Phone: (208) 705-7068 or (208) 425-9157 

Contact: Corry Hatch 

Notes: Mink farm. Wild fur buyer; 

receiving depot for North American Fur 

Auctions

Mathews Brothers 

670 Mingo Road 

Grace, ID 83241 

Phone: (208) 425-3351 

Fax: (208) 425-3214 

Contact: Mark D. Mathews, Dean 

M. Mathews, Blair Mathews, Richard 

Mathews 


Bill & David Ball 

2726 North 5600 West 

Malad City, ID 83252 

Notes: Large farm with 20,000 mink. 

Very remote location. Approximately 24 

sheds. No house on site.. The Ball brothers 

also operate a fur farm in Morgan, 

Utah (B & D Fur Farm). Confirmed 

open (summer 2009). 

Lew Palmer Mink Ranch 

1768 South 600 West 

Preston, ID 83263 

Phone: (208) 852-1375 

Fax: (208) 852-0814 

Contact: Lewis J. & Staci Palmer 

Notes: Sheds close to road. Located 

across the street from Lew Palmer Mink 

Farm. Confirmed open (summer 2009). 

5,000 mink liberated, 10-6-97 

Palmer Mink Ranch 



Contact: James R. & Linda Palmer 

Notes: Confirmed open (summer 2009). 

Kent Griffeth Fur Farm 

2214 S 1600 E 


Phone: (208) 852-3118 

Fax: (208) 852-3175 

Contact: Kent B. & Debbie Griffeth 

Notes: Mink farm. Located at southwest 

corner of S 1600 E and E 2200 S. 

Doney’s Mink Ranch 

753 E 3200 N 


Phone: (208) 852-2178 

Fax: (208) 852-0274 

Contact: Kay Doney 


Sandy Hill Mink Ranch 

2951 West Hwy. 36 

Weston, ID 83286 

Phone: (208) 852-2307 

Contact: Dwain L. & Sandra Weeks 

Fur Farm List 

Notes: Reported closed (summer 2009). 

Sunny B Farms 

2665 W 4400 S 

Weston, ID 83286 

Phone: (208) 747-3137 

Fax: (208) 747-3213 

Contact: Kent W. & Suzanne R. Beckstead 


Geary Fur Farm 

425 S 400 W 

Burley, ID 83318 

Phone: (208) 678-3327 

Fax: (208) 678-6098 

Contact: Jed & Treena Geary 

Notes: Mink farm. Located at southeast 

intersection of 400 S and S 400 W. 22 

sheds. House at a distance from the 

sheds. 

Confirmed open (summer 2009). 

Warner & Sons 

125 S 350 E 


Phone: (208) 678-8642 

Contact: Gary Warner 

Notes: Located southeast corner of S 

350 E and E. Highway 81. Farm may be 

closed (investigation needed). 

Moyle Mink Ranch 

571 E. Highway 81 


Contact: Don Moyle, Cindy Moyle 

Phone: (208) 654-2033 

Fax: (208) 654-2446 

Notes: Located off Highway 81, south on 

S 600 E to end of road. Confirmed open 

(summer 2009). Cindy Moyle is a Board 

Member, Fur Commission USA (as of 

2012). 

Raft River Mink Ranch 

1175 S. Highway 81 

Declo, ID 83323 

Phone: (208) 645-3201 

Contact: Nate S. Carson 

Notes: New mink farm (incorporated 

January 2010). No 

house on site. 

Moyle & Sons Fur Farm 

(Rock Creek Canyon Ranch) 

4052 North 2600 East 

Filer, ID 83328 

Phone: (208) 733-4440 

Fax: (208) 734-5432 

Contact: Jay & Barbara Moyle, Dean 

Moyle 

Notes: Mink farm. Set back from road at 

end of driveway. On 

a river. Furthest sheds are at a distance 

from the house. Two houses on the property. 


Alpine Clean Food 


Heyburn, ID 83336 

Contact: Lee & Martha Moyle, Shannon 

Wood 

Notes: Fur farm feed supplier. At same 

address, Moyle Mink & Tannery 

Moyle Mink Farm 



Phone: (208) 678-8481 

Fax: (208) 678-3385 

Contact: Lee & Martha Moyle, Ryan 

Moyle 

Notes: Very large mink farm. Associated 

with Moyle Mink & Tannery. Visible 

from I-84. Confirmed open (summer 

2009). 

fur farm 




Smith Furs 

155 2nd Street West 

Malta, ID 83342 

Phone: (208) 645-2316 

Fax: (208) 645-2230 

Contact: Cregg W. Smith, Carma Smith, 

Osmer Smith 

Notes: Located at end of service road 

running W off of 2nd St, after bend. 11 

sheds. Most sheds 

found empty. This farm is very isolated 

and set back from any traveled road. No 

house on site.Confirmed open (summer 

2009). 

A-K Moyle Ranch 

3539 South 1500 East 

Wendell, ID 83355 

Phone: (208) 536-6739 

Fax: (208) 536-6670 

Contact: Allen & Karla Moyle 

Notes: Mink farm. Trail to the north of 

the sheds, along fence. Confirmed open 

(summer 2009).

Harris Mink Farms 

15258 Green Road 

Caldwell, ID 83607 

Phone: (208) 459-6015 or (208) 459-9359 

Fax: (208) 459-1922 

Contact: Donald B. Harris, Scott L. Harris, 

Brent Harris 

Notes: Very large mink farm. Scott Harris 

is Treasurer of Fur Commission USA 

(as of 2012). Sheds at a distance from the 

house. Confirmed open (summer 2009). 

Illinois 

Avery Brabender 

27383 W Wilmot Road 

Antioch, IL 60002 

Phone: (847) 395-2782 

Notes: Mink and fox farm. Located south 

side of road (farm not visible from road). 

Frye’s Fur Farm 

2224 Behan Road 

Crystal Lake, IL 60014 

Phone: (815) 455-4862 or (815) 459-0823 

Fax: (815) 459-3021 

Contact: Larry Frye, Steve Frye, Robert 

J. Frye 

Notes: Large mink farm. 


Jan Wolanin 

18113 Illinois Route 173 

Harvard, IL 60033 

Phone: (773) 497-5150 

Fax: (847) 233-9255 

Contact: Jan & Maria Wolanin 


Gengel Mink Farm 

38614 N. Fairfield Road 

Lake Villa, IL 60046 

Phone: (847) 356-5661 

Fax: (847) 356-1617 

Contact: Ronald & Joanne Gengel 

Notes: Mink farm and pelting/processing 

facility. Ron Gengel is President of Fur 

Commission USA (as of 2012). The Gengel 

family also operates a Christmas tree 

farm (Gengel Tree Farm, in Lake Villa). 

Illinois Mink Wire Company 

38614 N. Fairfield Road 

Lake Villa, IL 60046 

Phone: (800) 408-5661 or (847) 356-5661 

Fax: (847) 356-1617 

Contact: Ron Gengel, Gerry Gengel 

Notes: Sells Minkomatic feeders, fleshing/skinning 

machines, wire for cages 

Fur Farm List 

and other equipment for mink and fox 

farmers. Illinois Mink Wire Co. is the 

U.S. representative for foreign fur farm 

suppliers, such as Dansk Mink Papir. 

Hedensted Gruppen, Morsø Mink. and 

Norcar. 

Montelone Mink Ranch 

43W891 Plato Road 

Elgin, IL 60124 

Phone: (847) 464-5118 

Fax: (847) 464-5167 

Contact: Frank & Bernice Montelone 

Notes: Very large mink farm. Plato Road 

in Elgin is also known as County Road 

32. 

Virgil Mink Ranch 

48W310 Welter Road 

Maple Park, IL 60151 

Phone: (847) 365-6057 

Contact: F.E. Geisen 


Robert J. Diehl 

46W500 Welter Road 

Maple Park, IL 60151 

Phone: (630) 365-6728 


Sorensen Mink Farm 

19014 Kishwaukee Valley Road 

Marengo, IL 60152 

Contact: Hans Sorensen 

Note: Mink farm. 

Bob Rodeghero 

1875 Nelson Road 

Morris, IL 60450 

Phone: (815) 942-1747 

Notes: Small mink farm. 

Tim & Kim Allaman 

southeast corner of Illinois State Route 

164 and Illinois State Route 94 

Rozetta, IL 61469 

Notes: Fox farm. 

Midwest Ingredients 

103 West Main Street 

Princeville, IL 61559 

Phone: (309) 385-1035 

Fax: (309) 385-1036 

Contact: Ruthi Coats 

Notes: Fur farm feed supplier. 

Aeschleman Fur Company 

1574 County Road 1600 East 

Roanoke, IL 61561 

Phone: (877) 266-6331 

Contact: Daniel K. Aeschleman, Soni G. 

Aeschleman 

Notes: Fox farm. Also sells fox urine to 

trappers. May be the largest fox farm in 

the country. 

David Draves Fur & Archery 

5758 N. 2200th Street 

Dieterich, IL 62424 

Contact: David W. Draves, Jessy Draves, 

Victoria Draves 

Notes: Fox farm. Farm may be closed 

(investigation needed). 

Littig Fox Farm 

1774 Eagle Run Road 

Bluffs, IL 62621 

Phone: (217) 899-9142 

Contact: Kerry Littig, Terry Littig 

Notes: Fox farm. Terry Littig is President 

of the U.S. Fox Shipper’s Council 

Dozens of foxes liberated, 4-1-05 

Price Fox Farm 

4850 Highway 141 

Norris City, IL 62869 

Phone: (618) 962-3284 or (618) 313-2050 

Fax: (618) 842-5380 

Contact: Clinton Price, Jr. 

Notes: Mink and fox farm. 

Indiana 

Adams Fox & Mink Ranch 

2814 East 150 South 

Anderson, IN 46017 

Notes: Approximately150 to 200 outdoor 

pens, with 4 or 5 short 

sheds housing the silvers. Mink reportedly 

no longer held here. E 150 S is also 

known as 25th Street 

Road. Farm is located west of Markleville 

Road/S 300 East. 

200 fox liberated, 9-2-97 

150 foxes liberated, 12-2-98 

Lion Farms Indiana 

9555 S 250 E 

Nottingham, IN 46759 

Notes: Mink farm (formerly a dairy 

farm). 

K & K Fur Producers 

6739 N. Mayne Road 

Roanoke, IN 46783 

Contact: James L. Kahn, Thomas K. Kyle 


(investigation needed).

Flory Fur Farms 

5440 State Road 110 

Rochester, IN 46975 

Contact: Doyle Flory 



Iowa 

Best Veterinary Solutions, Inc. 

1716 Detroit Street 

Ellsworth, IA 50075 

Phone: (888) 378-4045 or (515) 836-4001 

Fax: (515) 836-4464 

Contact: Wes Thoreson, President 

Notes: Supplies vaccines to fur farmers. 

Best Veterinary Solutions has distribution 

centers in Willmar, MN, Washington, 

IN, Dagsboro, DE and Manheim, PA. 

Erickson Mink Ranch 

3374 Saratoga Avenue 

Jewell, IA 50130 

Phone: (515) 827-5516 

Contact: Marilyn Erickson 

Notes: Located south of 330th Street/ 

Highway 175. West side of road. Approximately 

100 fox 

pens at rear / west end of property. 

Numerous mink pens with black & white 

mink. Train tracks run along W side. 

Jewell lagoon sits directly west of farm. 

Confirmed open (fall 2011). 


Hawkeye Mink Cooperative 

1324 Main Street 


Phone: (515) 827-5458 

Notes: Unclear if this facility is still in 

business. 

Isebrands Fur Farm 

3221 Queens Avenue 


Phone: (515) 827-5562 

Fax: (515) 827-5208 

Contact: Mark Isebrands, Floyd L. & 

Shirley Isebrands 

Notes: Located between 320th and 330th 

Streets. Open. Dirt road. Many sheds 

directly on the road. 

House at a significant distance from 

many of the sheds.Confirmed open (summer 

2009). 


Fur Farm List 

Ruby Fur Farm 

2564 200th Street 

New Sharon, IA 50207 

Phone: (641) 672-2067 

Fax: (641) 672-0262 

Contact: Randy Ruby, Mae Ruby 

Notes: Fox farm. “We specialize in 

breeding and raising ferrets, raccoons, 

and skunks and we offer them wholesale 

to pet stores.” Dirt road. Two houses 

on property. Corn fields on all sides of 

sheds. Numerous species audible from 

inside farm. Confirmed open (summer 

2009). 

Morgan Valley Fox Farm 

12420 S. 128th Avenue W. 

Runnells, IA 50237 

Phone: (515) 966-2028 

Contact: Frank E. & Judy P. Rains 

Notes: Located north side of road, just 

east of W. 125th Street S. 

Andrews & Sons Fur Farm 

32786 County Road D67 

Union, IA 50258 

Contact: Curt Andrews 

Notes: Fox farm. Single, very small animal 

shed with cages 

seen in fenced-off yard beside house. 

Contents undetermined / not visible. 

Silver Fox Farms 


Osage, IA 50461 

Contact: Brian J. Huffman 

Notes: Small fox farm. Dirt road. Outdoor 

fox pens directly behind house. 

Freeman’s Fur and Feather 


Osage, IA 50461 

Phone: (641) 330-7864 

Contact: Jeffrey J. Freeman 


Roger Harms 

3201 200th Avenue 

Titonka, IA 50480 

Phone: (519) 928-2751 



T & A Mink Farm 


Titonka, IA 50480 

Phone: (515) 928-2360 

Contact: Tom & Amy Higgins 

David Temel’s mink farm 

Woodbine, IA 

Circkle K Fur Farm 

Sioux City, IA 


Webster City, IA 


Waverly, IA 

0

Lyle Karels 


Burt, IA 50522 

Phone: (515) 924-3707 



939 N. White Fox Road 

Webster City, IA 50595 

Phone: (515) 832-2094 or (515) 832-5058 

Contact: Jim F. Fassett, Tom Fassett 

Notes: Mink farm. White Fox Road is 

also known as R33. Sheds very close to 

house. Confirmed open (summer 2009). 

1 mink liberated, 10-21-97 

Hillpipre Mink Farm 

136 Parkview Drive 

Webster City, IA 50595 

Contact: Chris Hillpipre 

Woodring Fur Farm 


Fredericksburg, IA 50630 

Phone: (563) 237-6523 

Fax: (563) 237-6900 

Contact: Jean Woodring 

Notes: Large mink farm. Located just 

west of Union Avenue/County Road V56. 

Dirt road. 

Underwood Farm 

2260 Quinlan Avenue 

Fredericksburg, IA 50630 

Contact: Justin Underwood, Mary J. 

Underwood 

Notes: Located south of 220th Street, 

west of Roanoke Avenue. Undergoing 

major construcion / deconstruction, 

2009. Many sheds visible on satellite 

images have been dismantled. No animals 

smelled or seen. Farm is either being 

heavily renovated, or dismantled. 

Drewelow & Sons 


New Hampton, IA 50659 

Contact: Lennie Drewelow 

Notes: Mink farm. 239th St. is off Odessa 

Avenue, north of 240th Street/County 

Road B54. Earl Drewelow died February 

2007; survived by his son Harvey. 

Best viewed from 240th St. 

Numeous small sheds and one large 

mink barn. Sheds at a great distance 

from the house. 

14,000 mink liberated (largest mink 

release on record), 9-7-00 

Fur Farm List 



Waverly, IA 50677 

Phone: (319) 276-3350 

Contact: Nick & Becky Demuth 

Notes: Small farm. Sheds close to road, 

on S side. House at a 

distance from sheds. 


Perrin & Sons Fur Farm 


Cherokee, IA 51012 

Phone: (712) 225-5348 

Fax: (712) 225-4484 

Contact: Kelly J. & Teri Perrin 

Notes: Large mink and fox farm. Located 

west of Highway 

59. N side of the road. Sheds directly on 

the road. Sheds & fox pens are at a great 

distance from the house. Dirt road. “Perrin 

Farm” sign posted. Confirmed open 


Klingbeil Mink Farm 

22487 Tamarack Avenue 

Remsen, IA 51050 

Phone: (712) 786-3361 

Contact: Donald Klingbeil 

Notes: Large mink farm. Located between 

220th and 230th Streets. Farm is for sale 

(as of June 2012). 

Circle K Fur Farm 

3701 Memorial Drive 

Sioux City, IA 51104 

Phone: (712) 252-2202 

Contact: Steven Krage 

Notes: Mink farm. Approximately 5,000 

mink & 100 fox. Located north side of 

road. Sheds at a great distance from the 

house. Gate to rear of farm on Talbot, 

along farm’s W side. Pair aprehended 

here in 2010 after reportedly setting off 

photoelectric sensors. Confirmed open 


5,000 mink, 100 foxes liberated, 10-19-97 

The Snare Shop 

330 S. Main Street 

Lidderdale, IA 51452 

Phone: (712) 822-5780 

Fax: (712) 822-5781 

Notes: Trap manufacturer, distributor of 

trapping supplies. 

David Tremel 

2017 Troy Trail 

Woodbine, IA 51579 

Phone: (712) 647-2191 

Notes: Mink farm. Located west side of 

road, approx. 1/2 mile south of 194th 

Street. Confirmed open (summer 2009). 

Robert Roman 

23778 Fairview Road 

Anamosa, IA 52205 

Phone: (319) 462-4107 


Schmuecker Fox Farm 

1545 79th Street Trail 

Belle Plaine, IA 52208 

Phone: (319) 444-2219 

Contact: Danny & Nancy Schmuecker 

Notes: Farm reported closed (investigation 

needed). 

Don Conrad 


Keota, IA 52248 

Phone: (641) 636-3858 


corner of 190th Street and Birch Avenue. 

Paul Durkop 


Lost Nation, IA 52254 

Phone: (563) 678-2895 or (563) 219-2835 

Notes: Fox farm. Located south of 140th 

Street. 

Marak Fur Farm 

1297 Marak Road NW 

Swisher, IA 52338 

Phone: (319) 857-4331 

Contact: Darrel L. & Carolyn Marak 

Notes: Mink and fox farm. Darrel Marak 

also sells animal urine. 

James M. Roberston 

3794 Toddville Road 

Toddville, IA 52341 

Phone: (319) 393-4454 

Contact: James M. & Florence Roberston 



Diamond V Mills 

838 1st Street NW 

Cedar Rapids, IA 52407 

Phone: (800) 373-7234 or (319) 366-0745 

Fax: (319) 366-6333 

Contact: John C. Bloomhall, President & 

CEO 

Notes: Fur feed ingredient supplier.

Ames Mink Farm 

 

Tomahawk, WI 

 

Pagel Mink Ranch 

 

Cambellsport, WI 

 

Geiger Mink Farm 

 

Mosinee, WI 

 

Mildbrand Mink Ranch 

 

Medford, WI 

 

Wiesman Mink Ranch 

 

Caroline, WI 

 

Gesslers Pine Ridge Mink Ranch 

 

Tomahawk, WI

United Feeds 

 

Plymouth, WI 

 

Central Mink Food 

 

Medford, WI 

 

Patrick Fur Farm 

 

Westboro, WI 

 

National Feeds 

 

New Holstein, WI 

 

Medford Fur Food 

 

Medford, WI 

 

Albers Mink Ranch 

 

Medford, WI

Mark McGrann 

19075 County Road T14 

Mystic, IA 52574 

Phone: (641) 437-4028 

Notes: Mink farm. Wide shed (4+ rows) 

behind house. Address previously published 

as 19013 Highway T14. Mailboxes 

at end of driveway read “19093” & 

“19075” (two houses on driveway). Farm 

may be closed (investigation needed). 

North Star Fur Farm 


Ollie, IA 52576 

Phone: (641) 622-1001 

Contact: Roger Warren 



Conger Farm 


Ollie, IA 52576 

Contact: Dean Conger 

Notes: Mink and fox farm. Farm may be 


Michigan 

Jack Brower Fur Farm 

15011 Chandler Road 

Bath, MI 48808 




Steven J. Bursian, Ph.D. 

Michigan State University 

Department of Animal Science 

2209C Anthony Hall 

East Lansing, MI 48824 

Phone: (517) 355-8415 

Fax: (517) 353-1699 

Web: www.ans.msu.edu/community/people/bursian_steve.html 

Notes: Fur industry researcher. Received 


in 2010. Dr. Bursian has received funding 

from the fur industry for many years. Dr. 

Bursian used to work with now-retired 

fur industry researcher Richard Aulerich. 

MSU operates a mink research farm on 

campus (the only experimental mink 

farm in the U.S.). 

Daniel Miller 

23809 Truckenmiller Road 

Centerville, MI 49032 



Fur Farm List 

Dale Hiatt 

31765 M-66 or 30985 Covey Road 

Leonidas, MI 49066 



Natural Fibers 

17519 L Drive South 

Marshall, MI 49068 

Contact: Joe & Marie McFadden 



Geri Van Elderen 


Martin, MI 49070 

Phone: (269) 672-2115 

Contact: Geri & Sheri Van Elderen 



Fox Haven 

1806 E. Hinchman Road 

Berrien Springs, MI 49103 

Contact: James E. & Judith Brown 


Lemon Creek Fox Ranch 

2224 E. Lemon Creek Road 

Berrien Springs, MI 49103 

Phone: (616) 471-4961 

Contact: William V. & Norma Kechkaylo 

Notes: At same address, Wicklewood 

Kennels. 

Fisk Fox Farm 

11576 Sprague 

Sand Lake, MI 49343 

Phone: (616) 984-5564 

Contact: Douglas R. and Diane Fisk 

Van Elderen Brothers 


Shelbyville, MI 49344 

Phone: (269) 672-5123 or (616) 672-7390 

Fax: (269) 672-9000 

Contact: Michael & Hermina Vanelderen 

Notes: Mink farm. Van Elderen also 

operates a feed mill in the nearby village 

of Martin (892 E. Allegan Street). 

LeFebre’s Mink Farm 


Wayland, Ml 49348 

Contact: Randall J. LeFebre 

Notes: Farm may be closed (investigation 

needed). 

Scholten Fur Farm (Scholten Feeds) 


Wayland, Ml 49348 

Phone: (269) 792-7747 

Fax: (269) 792-8483 

Contact: John Scholten 

Notes: Large mink farm. 

fur farm 

2495 Phaneuf 

Traverse City, MI 49686 

Contact: Brian Fisher 



Jander Fur Farm 

N17725 County Road 551 

Harris Township (Bark River), MI 49807 

Phone: (906) 466-2909 

Contact: Gregory Jander 

Notes: Mink farm. Located at northwest 

corner of 551 and Dump Road Number 

44. 

Robert Roell & Sons 

N11218 State Highway 95 

Channing, Ml 49815 

Contact: Robert Roell, Kenneth Roell, 

David Roell 

Notes: Mink farm. There are two large 

farms south of Channing on State Highway 

95; east side of road. 

Sturdy Mink 

5218 18.9 Lane 

Gladstone, Ml 49837 

Phone: (906) 786-7835 

Contact: Robert & Rita Sturdy 

Notes: Large mink farm. Entrance located 

off of 19th Lane, about 1/2 mile west of 

County Road 426/Michigan 5/G38. 

JET Mink Ranch 

N2119 Bay De Noc Drive 

Menominee, MI 49858 

Phone: (906) 863-3113 

Contact: John Kellogg 

Notes: Large mink farm. Bay De Noc 

Drive is also known as Old US 41. Farm 

is located at southwest corner of Bay De 

Noc and 5.25 Lane, west of US 41. 

Pipkorn, Inc. 

W4503 US Highway 2 

Powers, MI 49874 

Phone: (906) 497-5725 or (906) 497-5803 

Contact: Thomas D. Pipkorn, Steve 

Pipkorn 

Notes: Mink farm. Located between 

4

Kluba Lane and Quarry Road K.5; south 

side of highway. Two clusters of sheds, 

1/2 block apart. 


Roger Tourangeau III 

N15072 D-1 Road 

Wilson, MI 49896 

Phone: (906) 466-2840 



Minnesota 

Gary Klein Fur Farm 

17827 Carnie Road 

Hinckley, MN 55037 

Phone: (320) 384-6688 

Contact: Gary E. & Ann Klein 

Notes: Mink farm. Located north side of 

road. Farm may be closed (investigation 

needed). 

Kroschel Mink & Stock Farm 

2937 330 Avenue 

Hinckley, MN 55037 

Phone: (320) 384-6976 

Contact: Hugo & Fran Kroschel 

North Star Fur & Trading 

12515 Morris Trail 

Marine on Saint Croix, MN 55047 

Phone: (651) 433-2803 

Fax: (651) 433-2804 

Contact: Jim Rosenwald, Jon-Paul Rosenwald 

Notes: Wild fur buyer. Manufactures 

“ranch mink handling gloves”; advertises 

in fur industry publications. 

North Branch Fur Farm 

County Road 15 

North Branch, MN 55056 

Phone: (651) 674-4721 

Fax: (651) 257-8792 

Contact: Gerald & Joyce Strenger; Gene 

& Kadine Rabel 

Notes: Mink farm. Located at NW corner 

of Lincoln Road and County Road 15. 

Cumberland’s Northwest Trappers Supply 

4707 Cedar Avenue North 

Owatanna, MN 55060 

Phone: (507) 451-7607 

Fax: (507) 451-5869 

Contact: Russell C. Cumberland 

Notes: Large distributor of traps and 


Fur Farm List 

Anderson Mink Farm 

4515 292nd Street E. 

Randolph, MN 55065 

Phone: (507) 263-2219 

Contact: Gary Anderson 

Notes: Located north side of road, east of 

Divers Path/railroad tracks. 

Heger Company 

2536 E. Seventh Avenue 

North St. Paul, MN 55109 

Phone: (800) 467-6465 or (651) 777-3701 

Fax: (651) 777-3806 

Contact: Dean A. Armstrong, CEO 



10739 30th Street NW 

Annandale, MN 55302 

Phone: (320) 274-8837 

Contact: Henry Davidson 


North Central Companies 

601 Carlson Parkway, Suite 400 

Minnetonka, MN 55305 

Phone: (952) 449-0885 

Fax: (952) 807-7450 or (952) 449-0785 

Contact: Larry Zilverberg 


Petersen Fur Farm 

10587 Tagus Avenue 

Brownton, MN 55312 

Phone: (320) 328-5369 or (320) 328-4005 

Contact: Sheridan & Barbara Petersen 

Notes: Mink farm. Located just south of 

108th Street; west side of road. Farm may 

be closed (investigation needed). 

Whalen Foods Inc. 

584 Bavaria Lane, Suite 200 

Chaska, MN 55318 

Phone: (866) 547-6510 or (952) 368-6077 

Fax: (866) 432-3189 or (952) 368-6046 

Notes: Supplies ingredients for mink 

and fox feed; advertises in fur industry 

publications. 

Randall Knudsen 


Buffalo Lake, MN 55324 

Phone: (320) 833-2240 


Latzig Mink Ranch (Lakeside Ferrets) 

809 County Road 7 SW 

Howard Lake, MN 55349 

Phone: (320) 963-3594 

Notes: Farm reported closed in 2011. 

Located just north of 10th Street SW. 

Mueller Bros. Mink Ranch (Mueller 

Fleshing & Supply) 

19086 County Road 141 

Kimball, MN 55353 

Phone: (320) 398-7787 

Contact: James Mueller, Gregory Mueller 

Notes: Large mink farm. Entrance located 

on northwest shore of Pearl Lake. 

Warner’s Westside Fur Farm 

59483 Csah 11 

Litchfield, MN 55355 

Phone: (320) 693-6547 

Contact: Steve & Linda Warner 


de Rosier, Inc. 

412 South 4th Street, Suite 1153 

Minneapolis, MN 55415 

Phone: (612) 339-3566 or (612) 339-3599 

Fax: (612) 339-3568 

Contact: John M. de Rosier 

Notes: Supplies ingredients for mink feed; 

advertises in fur industry publications. 

Louis Baumel 


Bovey, MN 55709 

Notes: Fox farm. Located on south side 

of road. 

Zumbro River Fur Farm 

4625 West River Road NW 

Rochester, MN 55901 

Phone: (507) 529-8164 or (507) 282-9665 

Fax: (507) 316-0709 

Contact: Scott A. Stevens, Marian C. 

Stevens, Larry N. Stevens. 

Notes: Mink farm. West River Road NW 

is also known as County Road 133. 


Byron Fur Farm 

7009 110th Avenue NW 

Byron, MN 55920 

Phone: (507) 775-6465 

Contact: Alan W. Hovey 



Myhre Mink Ranch 

75562 State Highway 16 

Grand Meadow, MN 55936 

Phone: (507) 754-5334 

Contact: Einar Myhre 

Notes: Mink farm.

Jeffrey Williams 

10202 421st Avenue 

Mabel, MN 55954 

Phone: (507) 493-5049 


Ryan Fur Farm 

21341 County 19 

Spring Grove, MN 55974 

Phone: (507) 498-3770 or (507) 429-0070 

Contact: Erin Ryan 


Gimble Mink Ranch 

19104 Mink Drive 

Spring Grove, MN 55974 

Phone: (507) 498-5314 

Fax: (507) 498-5723 

Contact: Gary Gimble 



Schmitt Enterprises 


Hanska, MN 56041 

Phone: (507) 359-4149 

Fax: (507) 359-2472 

Contact: Gerald & Doreen Schmitt 



Vogt Fur Farm 

210 W. Elm Street 

Kasota, MN 56050 

Phone: (507) 931-3952 

Notes: Mink farm. Located in NW corner 

of town, between railroad tracks and 

Minnesota River, at end of Elm Street. 

Kavan Ranch 

22802 Lexington Road 

Le Center, MN 56057 

Phone: (507) 357-4918 

Contact: Tom Kavan, Jerry Kavan 

Notes: Mink and fox farm. Located north 

side of road, just east of 229th Avenue. 

Terry Kimmet 


Le Center, MN 56057 



Wayne A. Sieverding 


Dundee, MN 56131 

Phone: (507) 425-3205 

Contact: Wayne & MaryAnn Sieverding 

Fur Farm List 

Notes: Fox farm. Located at the end of 

130th Street, on West Graham Lake. 

Ehde Brothers Fur Farm 

County Road 8 

Luverne, MN 56156 

Phone: (507) 283-9747 or (507) 283-4771 

Contact: Arthur Ehde, Elmer Ehde 


corner of County Road 8 and Township 

124, northeast of Luverne. 

Schmidt Mink Ranch 

37110 800th Street/County Road 12 

Okabena, MN 56161 

Phone: (507) 853-4572 

Contact: Leonard Schmidt, Mike Schmidt 

Notes: Located just east of 370th Avenue. 

Pomme De Terre Fur Farm 

County Road 70 

Morris, MN 56267 

Phone: (320) 795-2729 

Fax : (320) 795-2835 

Contact: Robert L. Jergenson 

Notes: Mink farm. Located on County 

Road 70, approx. 1 mile east of US Highway 

59, on the Pomme de Terre River. 

Minnesota Trapline Products 

7444 County Road 27 NW 

Pennock, MN 56279 

Phone: (320) 599-4176 

Fax: (320) 599-4314 

Contact: Tim & Nancy Caven 


trapping supplies, trap manufacturer 

(Bridger Traps, Minnesota Brand). 

Jergenson Mink Ranch 


Cyrus, MN 56323 

Phone: (320) 795-2487 or (320) 760-0275 

Contact: Duane & Wendy Jergenson 

Notes: Located north of 150th Street/ 

Township Road 144. West side of road. 

Litke Mink Ranch 

13472 Airport Road 

Little Falls, MN 56345 

Phone: (320) 632-6367 

Contact: Gerald Litke 

Notes: Mink farm. Located north of the 

Little Falls-Morrison County Airport; east 

side of road. 

Lang’s Mink Farm 


Richmond, MN 56368 

Phone: (320) 597-3400 

Fax: (320) 597-3235 

Contact: John & Rosanne Lang 


Royal Oak Mink Ranch 


Sauk Centre, MN 56378 

Phone: (320) 352-6866 or (320) 352-6002 

Fax: (320) 352-3310 

Contact: Steve Thang, Colleen Thang, 

Jeff Thang 

Notes: Located on north side of road, at 

205th Avenue. 

Bob’s Mink Ranch 


Detroit Lakes, MN 56501 

Phone: (218) 847-8407 or (218) 846-0933 

Fax: (218) 847-3366 

Contact: Robert R. Sonnenberg 

Notes: Large mink farm. Located east 

of Detroit Lakes city center, north of 

highway. At same address: Minnesota Fur 

Breeders, and S & S Feed Company. 

Hillcrest Mink Ranch 



Phone: (218) 847-5813 

Fax: (218) 847-8786 

Contact: Kent Disse, Glen & Debbie 

Disse 

Notes: Located across street from Bob’s 

Mink Ranch. 

Keith Sonnenberg 



Phone: (218) 847-5490 

Notes: Mink farm. Located on north side 

of road. 

fur farm 

320 Avenue 


Notes: Mink farm. Located at end of 

road, entrance off of State Highway 34. 

Gill Gigstead 



Phone: (218) 847-8059 or (218) 847-7068 

Contact: Gill Gigstead 


(investigation needed).

Thompson Farm 

14283 160th Street South 

Barneville, MN 56514 

Phone: (612) 493-4460 

Contact: Mike Thompson 


Urbach Farm 


Frazee, MN 56544 

Contact: Larry Urbach 


Richard Dorow Mink Farm (Custom 

Fleshing Inc.) 


Ottertail, MN 56571 

Phone: (218) 367-2870 

Contact: Richard & Gloria Dorow 

Notes: Located on south side of road. 

Soland Farm 

31247 County Highway 130 

Vergas, MN 56587 

Phone: (218) 342-2545 

Contact: Wenzel & Florence Soland 


road, just west of 315th Avenue. 

Schultz Fur Farm 


Vergas, MN 56587 

Phone: (218) 342-2501 

Contact: Arland & Karrie Schultz 


road, east of 315th Avenue. 

Big Falls Mink Ranch 

8624 Highway 6 

Big Falls, MN 56627 

Phone: (218) 276-2467 or (218) 276-2357 

or (218) 276-2429 

Fax: (218) 276-2000 

Contact: Carl Larsen, Jeff Larsen, James 

Larsen 

Notes: Located approx. 5 miles south 

of downtown Big Falls, on the Big Fork 

River. 

Gene Mosbeck 


Thief River Falls, MN 56701 

Phone: (218) 964-5360 

Contact: Gene & Susan Mosbeck 


Heinen Mink Ranch 


Warroad, MN 56763 

Fur Farm List 

Phone: (218) 386-1194 

Contact: George Heinen, Jr. 

Notes: Located north of State Road 11. 

Missouri 

Mazuri / Purina Mills 

100 Danforth Drive 

Gray Summit, MO 63039 

Phone: (800) 227-8941 

Notes: Fox farm feed supplier. Mazuri is 

the exotic animal brand of Purina Mills. 

Mid-Missouri Fox Farm 

12640 Derstler Road 

Richmond, MO 64085 

Notes: Located on west side of road, 

north of railroad tracks. 

Montana 

Luke Jergenson 

227 Pine Creek Road 

Livingston, MT 59047 

Phone: (406) 224-0729 


Sky Halsey 

6913 US Highway 12 East 

Martinsdale, MT 59053 

Phone: (406) 572-3358 

Notes: Fox farm. Entrance on north side 

of road. Confirmed open (summer 2009). 

Henke Mink Ranch 

167 Antelope Creek Road 

Hobson, MT 59452 

Phone: (406) 423-5542 

Contact: Richard & Darlene Henke 

Notes: Located SW of town, approx. 2 

miles SW of Ackley Lake. Owners also 

breed Akita dogs and operate trout fishing 

ponds (Trophy Trout Springs Ranch). 

Behling Fox Farm 

3523 McIntosh Lane 

Darby, MT 59829 

Phone: (406) 821-4410 

Contact: Gerald A. Behling 

Rocky Mountain Fur Company 

1477 US Hwy 93 South 

Hamilton, MT 59840 

Phone: (406) 363-6789 

Contact: Dan J. Huggans, Jason Huggans 

Notes: Located on west side of road. 

Farm also raises sheep. Confirmed open 


Frazier Fur Farm 

661 Highway 200 West 

Plains, MT 59859 

Phone: (406) 826-3151 or (406) 544-1487 

Contact: Shelli Frazier 

Notes: Bobcat farm; Shelli Frazier also 

sells horses (http://lazy3quarterhorses. 

homestead.com) 

Fraser Fur Farm 

1348 Terrace Lake Road 

Ronan, MT 59864 

Phone: (406) 676-3177 

Contact: Corey & Kathy Richwine 

Notes: Fox and bobcat farm Formerly 

imprisoned lynx, unclear if this is still 

the case. Farm also sells animal urine. 

Located east of downtown Ronan, south 

side of road. Confirmed open (summer 

2009). The Richwine family operate the 

Burgerville restaurant in Polson, MT. 

Campbell’s Mink Ranch 

845 Southside Road 

Superior, MT 59872 

Phone: (406) 822-4448 

Contact: David Campbell, Buddy Campbell, 

Dale Campbell 

Notes: South side of road, just west of 

I-90. Confirmed open (summer 2009). 

Pipe Creek Mink Ranch 

5131 Pipe Creek Road 

Libby, MT 59923 

Phone: (406) 293-7582 

Fax: (406) 293-8115 

Contact: Gary W. & Mary Ann Grenfell, 

Nick Grenfell 

Notes: Located west side of road, just 

north of Lodge Pole Way, approx. 6 

miles north of city center. 

Nebraska 

Merck Animal Health 

Elkhorn Biotechnology Excellence Center 

21401 W. Center Road 

Elkhorn, NE 68022 

Contact: Richard R. DeLuca Jr., President 

Notes: Supplies vaccines to fur farmers in 

North America; mink research and vaccine 

production facility. 

John & Peggy Smeal 

963 County Road F 

Scribner, NE 68057 

Phone: (402) 664-3362 

Notes: Fox farm. Located between CR-9 

and CR-10. Fox housed in indoor sheds.

Dirt road runs from CR-F to the sheds. 

At same address, Heartland Blends (fur 

farm feed supplier). Confirmed open, 

2009. 

BHJ USA 

2510 Ed Babe Gomez Avenue 

Omaha, NE 68107 

Phone: (402) 734-8030 

Fax: (402) 734-8025 

Web: www.bhj.us 


New York 

Phillips Fur Farm 

59 Biddlecum Road 

Pennelville, NY 13132 

Phone: (315) 695-2401 

Contact: Joseph & Releen Phillips 



Pelton Fur Farm 

5046 Rome Taberg Road (State Route 69) 

Rome, NY 13440 

Phone: (315) 336-2619 

Contact: Douglas & Joanne Pelton 

Notes: Small mink farm located about 

1/4 mile south of Humaston Road, on 

the southwest side of the road. 

Butternut Creek Mink Ranch 

1428 East Side Road 

Morris, NY 13808 

Phone: (607) 263-2094 

Contact: Robert Przekop 

Notes: Mink farm. Farm located at southwest 

corner of East Side/River Road and 

County Road 51. 

McKean Farm 

291 State Route 79 

Windsor, NY 13865 

Contact: Clinton McKean 

Notes: Mink farm. Located at northwest 

corner of State Route 79 and Saxby 

Road. Farm may be closed (investigation 

needed). 

Pachucinski Farm 

2733 Lenox Road 

Collins, NY 14034 

Phone: (716) 276-2311 

Contact: Alfred J. Pachucinski, Jr. 


Marr’s Fur & Game Farm 

4964 E Swamp Road 

Fur Farm List 

Stanley, NY 14561 

Phone: (585) 526-4496 

Fax: (585) 526-5984 

Contact: Dave Marr 

Notes: Mink and fox farm. Farm may be 


North Dakota 

Schultz Fur Farm 


Arnegard, ND 58835 

Phone: (701) 586-3583 

Contact: Larry Schultz 

Notes: Bobcat and lynx farm. According 

to the North Dakota Game & Fish 

Department (March 2010), the Schultz 

fur farm is the only fur farm in the state. 

Address may be incorrect (investigation 

needed). 

Ohio 

PDK Snares 

8631 Hirst Road 

Newark, OH 43055 

Phone: (740) 323-4541 

Contact: Doug Wilson, Ken Stewart 

Notes: Trap manufacturer. 

Silver Gates Fur Farm 

17822 Township Road 104 

Kenton, OH 43326 

Contact: Kim Auger 



Jones-Hamilton Co. 

30354 Tracy Road 

Walbridge, OH 43465 

Phone: (888) 858-4425 

Notes: Produces Sodium Bisulfate acidifier 

for use in mink feed; advertises in fur 

industry publications. 

Browns Fox Ranch 

9477 Hicksville Edgerton 

Hicksville, OH 43526 

Phone: (419) 542-8238 

Contact: Kenton & Sandi Brown 

Notes: Fox and mink farm. Farm may be 


BMI Traps (Butera Manufacturing Industries) 

1068 East 134th Street 

Cleveland, OH 44110 

Phone: (216) 761-8800 

Fax: (216) 761-8809 

Web: http://bmi-traps.com 

Contact: Richard E. Butera 


Oneida Victor 

1068 East 134th Street 

Cleveland, OH 44110 

Phone: (216) 761-9010 

Fax: (216) 761-8809 

Contact: Bryan K. Butera 

Notes: Trap manufacturer (a.k.a. Butera 

Manufacturing). 

Haska Fur Farm 

6991 Hughes Road 

Ravenna, OH 44266 

Phone: (330) 296-3954 or (330) 296-7576 

Fax: (330) 296-3344 

Contact: David & Maureen Haska 

Notes: Very large mink farm. Located on 

the north side of the road, just east of 

Rock Spring Road. 

Bekaert Corporation 

3200 West-Market Street, Suite 303 

Akron, Ohio 44333 

Phone: (330) 867-3325 

Fax: (330) 873-3424 

Notes: Among this company’s many 

steel-wire products, Bekaert manufacturers 

Weldmesh wire for mink cages. 

Bekaert has offices and manufacturing 

plants in many states across the country. 


22199 Center Road 

Alliance, OH 44601 

Phone: (330) 525-7655 

Contact: George & Violet Jorney, Justine 

Jorney 

Notes: Located on the south side of 

road, between S. Mahoning Avenue and 

Homeworth Road/401. 



500 mink liberated, 7-97 

Mark Hofacre 

5661 Massillon Road 

Dalton, OH 44618 

Phone: (330) 837-2037 

Notes: Mink farm. Farm is located on a 

dirt road off of/to the southeast of Massillon 

Road/State Route 241. 

Tonn’s Mink Farm 

3270 Pigeon Run Road SW 

Massillon, OH 44647 

Phone: (330) 833-4972

Contact: Dennis & Wanda Tonn 

Notes: Located on the east side of road, 

just north of State Road 30. 

B.J. Hoffman 

3198 Crater 

Wooster, OH 44691 

Phone: (330) 345-7837 

Fax: (330) 345-5899 


Circle R Fox Ranch 

1895 Riggle Road 

Bellville, OH 44813 

Contact: William B. Ridenour 

Notes: Located just east of CR-379. 

Buschur Feeds 

14417 Johnson Road 

New Weston, OH 45348 

Phone: (419) 925-5050 or (419) 305-8277 

Fax: (419) 925-5026 

Contact: Edward Buschur, President 

Notes: Owns National Fur Foods (fur 

farm feed supplier); see National Feeds 

(New Holstein, WI). 

Darrell Robbins 

Rural Route 1 

(alternate address: 3262 Road 204) 

Antwerp, OH 45813 

Phone: (419) 258-6792 



Schmitt Fur Farm 

1038 State Route 119 

Fort Recovery, OH 45846 

Phone: (419) 375-4192 

Fax: (419) 375-4193 

Contact: David Schmitt 

Notes: Very large mink farm. Located 

just east of downtown Fort Recovery, on 

the south/east side of road. Said to be 

one of the oldest mink farms still operating 

in the U.S. 

Oregon 

Weisdorfer Fur Farm 

11330 SE 272 Avenue 

Boring, OR 97009 

Phone: (503) 663-3070 

Fax: (503) 663-6465 

Contact: Leo D. & Dawn Y. Weisdorfer 


at corner of SE 272nd Avenue and SE 

Haley Road. Farm can be seen (smelled) 

from the Springwater Corridor trail. 

Fur Farm List 

Oregon Territorial Council on Furs 

3317 North Holly Street 

Canby, OR 97013 

Phone: (503) 266-5540 

Contact: Don Nichols, Manager 

Notes: Wild fur auction. 

Glade Wilkinson 

36089 Binder Slough Lane 

Astoria, OR 97103 

Phone: (503) 338-6848 

Fax: (503) 338-6850 

Notes: Mink farm. Located east of 

Youngs River Road, on the water. Mink 

farm and fur feed supplier. This address 

is listed as the Oregon feed production 

site for Northwest Farm Feed (2002). 

Located east of Youngs River Road, on 

the water. House at a distance from the 

sheds. Confirmed open (summer 2009). 

Western Star Fur Farm 

40801 Savola Lane 


Contact: Carl Salo 

Phone: (503) 522-7805 or (503) 458-5167 



Stunkard Farm 

41653 Old Hwy. 30 


Phone: (503) 458-6332 

Fax: (503) 458-7064 

Contact: Marvin W. & Susan E. 

Stunkard, Matthew Stunkard 


Garten Services 

3334 Industrial Way NE 

Salem, OR 97301 

Phone: (503) 581-4472 

Fax: (503) 581-4497 

Contact: Steven Elmore 

Notes: Manufactures bedding material 

for mink farms; advertises in fur industry 

publications. 


1477 Talbot Road SE 

Jefferson, OR 97352 

Phone: (541) 327-2275 or (541) 327-2420 

Contact: Joseph E. Posch, Michael P. 

Posch, Daniel S. Posch 

Notes: Mink farm. Small farm. Located 

on east side of road, 

north of Miller Road SE. Best vantage 

point from White Lane. White mink. 



E.H. Webster 

1000 N. 2nd Street 

Jefferson, OR 97352 

Notes: Fox farm. Located on east side of 

road. Another entrance off of Jefferson- 

Marion Road (2750 Jefferson-Marion 

Road SE). Street numbers are approximate. 

Masog Mink Ranch 

36232 W. Oak Street 

Lebanon, OR 97355 

Phone: (541) 619-3665 or (541) 259-3751 

Fax: (541) 258-3768 

Contact: Lou & Kimberly Masog, Duane 

Masog 

Notes: Mink farm. Located at corner of 

W. Oak Street & Fur Road; west of the 

Lebanon State Airport. Same property as 

Slack Farms. Confirmed open (summer 

2009). 


Slack Farms 

32600 Fur Road 


Phone: (541) 258-2495 

Fax: (541) 451-1002 

Contact: Richard & Dannette Slack, Dale 

Slack, Leroy Slack 

Notes: Mink farm. Same property as 

Masog Ranch. Confirmed open (summer 

2009). 

Richard Graham 

34481 Cottonwood Lane 


Phone: (541) 258-5749 



12303 Mt Angel Gervais Road 

Mount Angel, OR 97362 

Phone: (503) 845-6272 

Fax: (503) 845-6287 

Contact: Richard E. & Charlene L. Arritola, 

Lance C. & Jodi L. Arritola 

Notes: Heavily fortified farm. Tall razor 

wire fence, spotlights, and second fence 

inside first. Set far back from road. On 

railroad tracks. Sheds NE of farm are 

greenhouses. 

10,000 mink liberated, 5-30-97

Clem Ruef & Sons (also known as Oregon 

Mink / Ormink) 

11658 Baron Road NE 


Phone: (503) 845-2800 

Fax: (503) 845-9334 

Contact: Clement J. Ruef, Robert W. 

Ruef, Donald F. Ruef 

Notes: Mink farm and fur farm feed 

supplier. Located just north of Arritola 

Mink Ranch. Also heavily fortified. Best 

viewed via 

railroad tracks on E side. 

Ruef’s Fur Ranch 

12305 Ruef Lane 


Phone: (503) 845-2589 or (503) 845-6565 

or (503) 845-6180 

Fax: (503) 845-2326 

Contact: Max J. & Marlene Ruef, Joe & 

Darcy Ruef 

Notes: Mink farm. Located off of W. 

Church Road NE. Sheds are controlledenvironment 

sheds walled off on all sides. 

Cornfield service road runs along south 

of farm, from near the golf course. Farm 

is barely visible from the road. 

S&N Fur Farms 

40499 Oupor Drive 

Scio, OR 97374 

Ed Sandberg 

Notes: Mink, fox farm. Located east side 

of road. 

150-200 mink liberated, 9-8-08 

Victory? 

Every shed partially inspected, found 

empty, 2009. Additional info submitted 

stated the sheds appear to be dismantled 

as of Oct. 2009, with construction equipment 

on the property. However this farm 

renewed its Oregon Confined Animal 

Feeding Operation license in 2009 and 

may restock. Requires future inspection. 

Delany’s Fur Ranch 

21318 Hazelnut Ridge Road 

Scotts Mills, OR 97375 

Phone: (503) 873-2005 

Contact: David Delany, Judy Kandi 


Black & Blue Farms 

17621 Fern Ridge Road SE 

Stayton, OR 97383 

Phone: (503) 769-2575 or (503) 769-1481 

Contact: Terry W. & Lyndia J. Basl 


Fur Farm List 

Gardner Fur Farm 

3701 Drift Creek Rd SE 

Sublimity, OR 97385 

Phone: (503) 873-8405 or (503) 767-2845 

Contact: Tim & Katie Gardner, Larry 

Gardner 

Notes: Fox farm. Located on west side of 

road, set far back from road. House is at 

a great distance from the sheds. 

Cascade Farms of Oregon 

7582 Hunsaker Road SE 

Turner, OR 97392 

Phone: (503) 743-4295 

Contact: John Lucas, Donna Lucas, 

Randy Lucas 


Fur Commission USA 

PO Box 1532 

Medford, OR 97501 

Phone: (541) 595-8568 

Fax: (541) 566-7489 

Web: www.furcommission.com, furresearch.org 

Contact: Michael Whelan, Executive 

Director; Barbara Whelan, Executive Assistant 

Notes: Fur Commission USA is a trade 

association representing American mink 

farmers. The majority of its funding 

comes from pelt assessments collected at 

North American auction houses (North 

American Fur Auctions, American 

Legend Cooperative) and grants by the 

International Fur Trade Federation. 

– Board of Directors (2010/11): Ron 

Gengel - President, Kolby Stembridge 

- Vice President, Scott Harris - Treasurer, 

Kate Roesler - Secretary, Ryan Holt, 

Cindy Moyle, Robert Zimbal. 

– Research Committee (Mink Farmers’ 

Research Foundation) 2010/11 grants: 

$25,000 grant to Dr. Bernhard Benkel, 

Canadian Mink Breeders Association 

$9,000 grant to Dr. Austin E. Larsen, 

Fur Breeders Agricultural Co-op (Sandy, 

UT) 

$10,000 grant to Dr. Kristi Rouvinen- 

Watt, Nova Scotia Agricultural College 

(Truro, NS) 

$6,000 grant to Dr. Jack Rose, Idaho 

State University (Pocatello, ID) 

$20,000 grant to Dr. Steve Bursian, 

Michigan State University (East Lansing, 

MI) 

$10,000 grant to Dr. Robert L. Stephon, 

Scintilla Development Company (Bath, 

PA) 

$10,000 grant to Dr. John Gorham, 

Washington State University (Pullman, 

WA) 

$1,500 grant to Dr. Hugh Hildebrandt, 

Medford Veterinary Clinic (Medford, WI) 

Pennsylvania 

Bogus Fur Farm 

360 Theatre Road 

Carrolltown, PA 15722 

Phone: (814) 344-6651 

Fax: (814) 344-2097 

Contact: James & Rosalie Bogus 


Kuzar 

109 Mink Farm Lane 

Nicktown, PA 15762 

Phone: (814) 948-5614 

Contact: Steve & Doris Kuzar 


George Rykola 

557 Colver Road 

Ebensburg, PA 15931 

Phone: (814) 472-8447 


Western Pennsylvania Fur Farmers Co-op 

1401 Lemon Drop Road 

Ebensburg, PA 15931 

Jim Bogus, President/General Manager 

814-886-8948 

Notes: Fur farm feed supplier. Uninvestigated. 

Oakwood Mink Farm 

108 Oakwood Road 

Boyers, PA 16020 

Phone: (724) 735-2175 

Contact: Robert & Kim DeMatteis 

Preston Fur Farm 

383 S. Good Hope Road 

Greenville, PA 16125 

Phone: (724) 588-5374 or (724) 588-7973 

Fax: (724) 588-2861 

Contact: James L. Preston, Gary Preston, 

Gail & Lorri Preston 


Mindek Brothers Fur Farm 

4940 Shannon Road, 4937 Shannon Road 

Erie, PA 16510 

Phone: (814) 825-5047 or (814) 825-5310 

Fax: (814) 455-6336 

Contact: Forrest J. Mindek, Nick O. 

40

Mindek, Hunter L. Mindek 


200 mink liberated, 5-02 

50 minks liberated, 9-02 

Fur feed storage building burned down, 

11-26-02 

Lawrence Dana Fox Ranch 

9129 Station Road 

Erie, PA 16510 

Phone: (814) 725-1669 

All foxes liberated, breeding cards taken, 

6-02 

Richard H. Stahl & Sons Fur Farm 

275 Fegley Road 

Sunbury, PA 17801 

Phone: (570) 286-2157 or (570) 286-2262 

Fax: (570) 286-8011 

Contact: Mark Stahl, Rick Stahl, Alma 

Stahl 

Notes: Mink farm. Fegley Road runs parallel 

to State Route 890, southeast of the 

City of Sunbury. Farm located east side 

of road (309 Fegley). 

George Holtzapple 

6206 New Columbia Road 

New Columbia, PA 17856 

Phone: (717) 524-2079 



Scintilla Development Company / Avecon 

Diagnostics 

501 Grouse Drive 

Bath, PA 18014 

Contact: Robert L. Stephon 

Notes: Provides disease testing for mink 

farmers. Scintilla Development Company 

received a $10,000 grant from Fur Commission 

USA in 2010 to study aleutian 

disease. 

Fluharty Furs 

526 Schultz Road 

Perkiomenville, PA 18074 

Phone: (610) 754-6781 or (610) 754-6162 

Fax: (610) 754-0032 

Contact: Scott Fluharty 

Notes: Mink farm. Farm is located to the 

east of Schultz Road, hidden in trees. 

Goose Hill Fur Farm 

Goose Hill Road 

Wyalusing, PA 18853 

Notes: Mink farm. Located on east side 

of road (set far back), south of Jenning 

Road. 

Fur Farm List 

South Dakota 

Dakota Line 

1000 E. 5th Street 

Canton, SD 57013 

Phone: (605) 764-8850 

Contact: Mark Steck 


W. Brown Farm 


Arlington, SD 57212 

Phone: (605) 983-5456 

Fax: (605) 983-4622 

Contact: Walter P. & Christine Brown 


of road, between 456th Ave. and 457th 

Ave. 

Mark Neilson 


Lake Preston, SD 57249 

Phone: (605) 983-5933 

Notes: Fox farm. Located north of 205th 

Street. 

Don Dargatz 


Waubay, SD 57273 

Phone: (605) 947-4372 


Kingswood Mink Ranch 

39231 281st Street 

Armour, SD 57313 

Phone: (605) 724-2696 or (605) 724-2660 

Fax: (605) 724-2314 

Contact: Chuck Larson 

Notes: Large mink farm. Located east of 

US Highway 281. 

Milo Pfeiffer 

12998 392nd Ave 

Aberdeen, SD 57401 

Phone: (605) 229-0072 

Notes: Fox farm. Located at intersection 

of 130th Street and 392nd Avenue. 

Jo Meserve 


Mina, SD 57451 

Contact: Stephen R Meserve, Jo A 

Meserve 



Mount Angel, OR 


Jefferson, OR 

Krull, Masog, Slack 

Lebanon, OR 

4

Utah 

J & G Mink Ranch 

10320 N 6400 W 

Highland, UT 84003 

Phone: (801) 756-5477 

Fax: (801) 768-7007 

Contact: Junior & Lyn Degelbeck 

Notes: Located east of N 6400 W, south 

of W 10400 N, on the Murdock Canal 

Trail. Six sheds. Very residential neighborhood. 

Best viewed via dirt road / bike 

path on N side of property. Stream to the 

N of dirt road, parallel. House to the S 

of sheds. Large neighborhod park across 

street. Confirmed open (summer 2009). 

J & G Mink Ranch 

11240 N 6000 W 

Highland, UT 84003 

Phone: (801) 756-6276 

Contact: Gordon Williams 

Notes: Located north of Highland 

Highway/Highway 92. 11 sheds. Dense 

residential neighborhood 

directly E of sheds. Backyards of subdivision 

homes connect with the farm fence. 


Willow Valley 

7145 N 6720 W 

American Fork, UT 84003 

Phone: (801) 756-4956 

Contact: Brent Willard 

Notes: Mink farm. Located south of 

Highway 15, west of N 6500 W. 13 long 

sheds. Very close to the northern shore 

of Utah Lake. House is at a distance 

from the sheds. 


Black Willow Mink 

340 N. Main Street 

Coalville, UT 84017 

Phone: (435) 336-5513 

Fax: (435) 336-5564 

Contact: John Adkins III 

Notes: One of the oldest mink farms in 

the country, founded in 1927. Confirmed 


Kenneth Dawson 

430 N. Main St. 


Phone: (435) 336-5675 


Fur Farm List 

Don, Lori & Jason Winters 



Phone: (435) 336-2326 


Blonquist-Black Mink Farm 

2 N 200 E 


Phone: (435) 336-5595 

Contact: Afton W. Blonquist, Gena & 

Glen Black 

Notes: Mink farm. Located at west edge 

of Summit County Fairgrounds. Fence 

around sheds. Shallow creek around 

south and east of property on Park Rd. 

Most visible from Park Rd. Sheds directly 

adjoin creek on west side of fairgrounds 

parking lot. Confirmed open (summer 

2009). 

Keyes fur farm 



Phone: (435) 336-2746 

Contact: Edward Keyes 

Notes: Mink farm. Located south of Old 

Farm Lane, east side of road. Confirmed 


Rees Fur Farm 

934 S. Hoytsville Road 

Coalville UT 84017 

Phone: (435) 336-3416 

Fax: (435) 336-3361 

Contact: Dennis Rees, Ward Rees 

Notes: Mink farm. Located on west side 

of road. Confirmed open (summer 2009). 

Dennis Rees is a Board Member of the 

American Legend Cooperative (as of 

2012). Approximately 54,000 mink. 

2,000 mink and 200 fox liberated, 10-25-96 

Vernon Mink Farm 

820 S. Hoytsville Road 


Phone: (435) 336-5982 

Contact: Kent & NaVee Vernon 

Notes: Located on west side of road. 

Dean Vernon & Sons 

391 E. Chalk Creek Road 


Phone: (435) 336-2376 

Contact: Dean Vernon 


of road. Chalk Creek Road is also known 

as Highway 133. Confirmed open (summer 

2009). 

Ovard Mink Farm 

1715 SW Hoytsville Road 

Wanship, UT 84017 

Phone: (435) 336-5820 

Contact: Harold G. Ovard 

Notes: Small farm. Approximately 1,200 

mink. No fence. On dirt driveway E of 

Hoytsville Rd. Fields to N and S of property. 

At least one shed empty. Confirmed 


Lodder’s Mink Farm 

Kaysville/Farmington, UT 84025 

Contact: Chuck & Shelly Lodder 

Notes: Located west of intersection of 

Sharpshooter Drive and Fox Hunter 

Drive, south of the Central Davis Sewer 

District Wastewater Treatment Plant 

(2200 South Sunset Drive, Kaysville, UT 

84037). No house on site. 

7,000 mink released, 9-21-08 

River Jordan Mink Ranch 

9330 N 10400 W 

Lehi, UT 84043 

Phone: (801) 766-1305 or (801) 768-4491 

Fax: (801) 768-4494 

Contact: Scott Cooper McLachlan 

Notes: Once the largest mink farm in teh 

country with over 100,000 mink. W and 

W 9600 N, just west of the Jordan River. 

100+ sheds. House directly N of farm. 

Large empty gated lot on SW side. Close 

to shopping center on UT-73/Main St. 

Two clusters of sheds. Operational 

center / processing & storage buildings in 

southern cluster of sheds, house at north. 

Three complexes located at corner of 

N 10400 W and W 9600 N. Confirmed 


K & J Fur Farm 

1440 West Main Street 


Phone: (801) 768-8544 

Contact: Kim D. Beckstead 

Notes: Mink farm. Moat on W side. 

Very busy street. West Main Street is 

also known as W 8570 N (approximate 

address of farm: 8918 W 8570 N). Confirmed 


Dane Dixon Mink Ranch 

10725 N 8200 W 


Phone: (801) 768-8721 

Fax: (801) 766-1472 

Contact: Dane L. & Nadine Dixon 

4

Notes: Many streets in Lehi have more 

than one name, and alternate address 

is: intersection of W 3200 N and N 300 

W (SW corner). “Mink Operation” sign 

posted. House directly E of sheds. Solid 

metal wall fence surrounding sheds. 

Large field directly W of property. Adjacent 

to subdivision 

and church.Confirmed open (summer 

2009). 

Jonsson & Sons Mink Ranch / Cedar 

Valley Fur Farm 

9250 W 8170 N 


Phone: (801) 768-8075 

Fax: (801) 768-0829 

Contact: Keith & Laurel Jonsson 

Notes: W 8170 N is also known as W 

700 S. “Mink Operation” sign. Tall 

wooden wall around property. Across 

street from park / parking 

lot. Confirmed open (summer 2009). 

fur farm 

Lehi/Saratoga Springs, UT 84043 

Notes: Mink farm. No house 

on site. Well hidden, at end of small, 

unmarked dirt road. There is a long dirt 

construction road along S of farm (1300 

or 7750 N) (as of 2009). Road is new 

and not reflected on maps or satellite 

images. Very close to new residential 

neighborhood. Large. Accessible via 

hidden dirt road on N from residential 

neighborhood. 20 Long 


K&S Furs 

7814 N 8730 W 


Phone: (801) 768-8573 

Fax: (801) 785-1545 

Contact: Kenny Jensen 



Dell Willes 

600 S 400 W 


Phone: (801) 768-9120 or (801) 768-8171 

Contact: Dell & J’Lene Willes 

Notes: Mink farm. “Mink Operation” 

sign posted. 12 sheds long. Trailer on 

site. Very busy street. Heavy fence on 

street side, absent on other sides. Across 

the street from a church. Located just 

north of W 700 S, across street from 

church. Confirmed open (summer 2009). 

Fur Farm List 

Willes Fur Farm 

7878 W 8170 N 


Phone: (801) 768-0402 

Contact: Mike & June Willes 

Notes: Mink farm. Small farm. Four long 

sheds. “Mink Operation” sign posted. 

Partially wooden/partially metal fence 

surrounding property. Wooden fence in 

front. Residential neighborhood. 

Very busy street. Four farms on 8170 N. 

Located at southwest corner of W 8170 

N and S 300 E. Confirmed open (summer 

2009). 

Wardell Fur Farm 

2425 W. Old Highway Road 

Enterprise, UT 84050 

Contact: Gail Wardell, Jay Wardell, Wess 

Wardell 

Phone: (801) 876-3418 or (801) 876-3216 

or (801) 876-3344 

Fax: (801) 829-3293 

Notes: Large mink farm. West side of 

road. Visible from I-84. 30 

Sheds. Short barbed wire fence around 

portion of property. Appears to be mostly 

unfenced. Confirmed open (summer 

2009). Enterprise is north of Morgan. 

Dillree Fur Farm 

1835 W. Stoddard Lane 

Morgan, UT 84050 

Phone: (801) 829-6368 

Contact: Lewis (Smokey) & Barbara 

Dillree 

Notes: Mink farm. South side of road. 

Mailbox adorned with a wooden mink 

sculpture. Two other clusters of sheds 

nearby, one of which may be part of 

Dillree farm. 

Possibly three farms on this road. 

Largent Fur Farm 

2001 W. Stoddard Lane 


Contact: Theodore Largent 


Thurston Fur Farm / Circle Bar Investments 

1340 Island Road 


Phone: (801) 829-6327 

Contact: Fred N. & Jean Thurston 

Notes: Mink farm. At end of Island 

Road. 

Blackridge Farms 

Hyrum, UT 

J&G Mink Ranch 

Highland, UT 

Dane Dixon Mink Ranch 

Lehi, UT 

Mink Farm 

Lehi, UT 

4

Boyce Brothers Fur Farm 

860 E 525 N 


Phone: (801) 829-6024 

Contact: Bryan P. Boyce, Charles P. 

Boyce 

Notes: Mink farm. 15 sheds. S side of 

525 road. Barely visible from road. Confirmed 


American Mink Council 

PO Box 548 


Phone: (801) 540-6530 

Fax: (801) 829-6753 

Contact: Bryan Boyce, President 

Notes: Marketing cooperative of mink 

farmers. 

D J Mink 

800 N Morgan Valley Drive 


Phone: (801) 829-3813 

Contact: Douglas C. and Julie M. Brown 

Notes: Street address is approximate. 

L & S Fur Farm 

220 N Morgan Valley Drive 


Phone: (801) 829-3748 

Fax: (801) 829-4004 

Contact: Larry Peterson 

Notes: Large mink farm. Street address 

is approximate. Corporate address: 75 N 

Morgan Valley Drive. 

fur farm (Francis Fur Farm?) 

707 W Young Street 


Contact: Scott L. Francis, Jeff S. Francis 

Notes: Mink farm. Located south side of 

road, west of Valarie Street. 

fur farm (Sargent Mink Ranch?) 

707 E 100 S 


Notes: Mink farm. North side of street. 

Barbed wire fence surrounding property. 

Large farm. Street address is approximate. 


Stan Stuart fur farm 

750 E 100 S 


Phone: (801) 829-3347 

Fax: (801) 829-4063 

Contact: Stan A. Stuart 

Notes: Mink farm. South side of street. 

Located next to Morgan Valley Polaris/ 

Fur Farm List 

Wilkinson Construction. Large field 

west of sheds. Confirmed open (summer 

2009). 

Tony Jones Fur Farm 

1016 South Highway 66/State Street 


Phone: (801) 829-6351 

Fax: (801) 829-3161 

Contact: Tony & Tresa Jones 

Notes: Mink farm. Located east of the 

highway on unmarked dirt road, at end. 

Ken A. Durrant 

210 S. Morgan Valley Drive 


Phone: (801) 829-6539 

Notes: Mink farm. Street address is approximate. 

Located north of Richville 

Lane W, east side of road. 

Dawson Mink Farm 

50 Kippen West 2750 Lane S (alt. 50 W 

2750 S) 


Phone: (801) 829-0623 

Contact: Darin Dawson 

Notes: Located south of the city, off of 

Highway 66/East Canyon Road. Confirmed 


fur farm 

2085 S Morgan Valley Drive 



Round Valley Mink Ranch / Softmink 

2000 E. Rees Lane 


Phone: (801) 829-3358 

Fax: (801) 829-6965 

Contact: Stan J. Rees 

Notes: Directly off the exit, visible from 

Interstate 84 (exit 106).. Stan Rees is 

Chairman of American Legend Cooperative 

(Renton, WA). Sign reads “Rees Bros 

Hereforts”. Large farm. 

Seth Dawson 

84 W 200 N 


Phone: (801) 829-6680 

Notes: Vert small mink farm. Empy field 

to the north. Located behind Goldenwest 

Credit Union. Confirmed open (summer 

2009). 

Fur Farm 

Franson Lane 

“South Summit” (county?), UT 

(Possibly Oakley, UT) 

Status: Uninvestigated. 

Species: Mink 

Notes: Farmer reported suspicious vehicle 

at mink farm on Franson Lane in “South 

Summit”, UT, late-2009. The only known 

“Franson Lane” is in Oakley, UT 84055. 

46,000 mink pelts were produced in Summit 

County, 2008. No sheds seen on this 

road via satellite images. 

Fort Creek Mink Ranch 

3078 W. State Road 32 

Peoa, UT 84061 

Phone: (435) 783-5266 

Contact: Dale Williams 


needed). The mink sheds likely to be 

associated with this address are above SR- 

32 on hill, east side, NW of this address. 

Single empty mink shed in front of 

house. 

Marchant’s fur farm 

5739 N. State Road 32 


Phone: (435) 783-5671 

Contact: Norval S. Marchant 

Notes: Mink farm. Located on west side 

of road. 

Rocky Top Fur Farm 

5626 N State Road 32 


Contact: Gregory & Susan White 

Notes: Mink farm. Located on hill above 

road. 

Mont B Williams 

5515 N. State Road 32 


Phone: (435) 783-5296 


G.W. Fur Farm 

4811 N. Woodenshoe Lane 


Phone: (435) 783-5295 

Contact: Wendell J. & Ila Stembridge 

Notes: Mink farm. Located just south 

of the Peoa Rodeo Grounds. 23 sheds. 


D&B Fur Farm 

5434 N. Woodenshoe Lane 


44

Contact: David Nielsen 

Notes: Mink farm. 5 sheds. Small farm. 


JM Bell, Inc. 


Randolph, UT 84064 

Contact: John & Joann Bell 

Notes: Mink farm. Located at SW corner 

of S. Main and Duck Street. Farm may 

be closed (investigation needed). 

Dixon Mink 

15028 Pony Express Road 

Bluffdale, UT 84065 

Phone: (801) 495-0791 

Fax: (801) 571-0229 

Contact: Loran D. Dixon 

Notes: Between a storage complex and 

office park. Farm is very close to I-15, 

just south of Utah State Prison. Very 

tall (10+ feet) metal wall surrounding 

sheds. Trailer and house directly east of 

sheds. Empty land to the west. All sheds 

were completely enclosed and walled-in. 

Joins the Arritolla Mink Ranch as being 

among the most fortified farms reported. 


Fur Breeders Agriculture Cooperative 

8700 S 7th Street W. 

Sandy, UT 84070 

Phone: (801) 255-4228 

Fax: (801) 255-4678 

Contact: Christopher Falco, CEO/General 

Manager 

Notes: Former major fur farm feed supplier 

and mink farm, possibly closed after 

2011 fire. “Fur Breeders operates two 

production plants located in Sandy and 

Logan, Utah; these plants mix raw ingredients 

to make feed.” At same address: 

Utah Fur Breeders Association. 7th Street 

is also known as S 700 W. Located on 

west side of street, on the Jordan River. 

Mink sheds located north of main building. 

The complex was heavily damaged 

in an accidental December 2011 fire; and 

the plant was scheduled for demolition 

shortly thereafter. Unknown if it has 

been rebuilt. 

Attempted arson, 8-28-91 


Arson attack 3-11-97 Damages exceeded 

$1 million. 

6 mink liberated 7-29-98 

2 mink liberated 7-30-98 

Fur Farm List 

Lake Shore Mink Ranch (Russell Mink 

Ranch) 

90 W Church Road 

Toole, UT 84074 

Phone: (435) 882-0687 

Contact: Cloyd R. Russell 

Notes: Located on south side of road, 

west of Liddell Lane. 

Margetts Mink Ranch 

1975 Canal Road (1975 W 6670 S) 

West Jordon, UT 84084 

Phone: (801) 969-7555 

Fax: (801) 964-0118 

Contact: Cory & Christy Margetts 

Notes: Located on south side of road. 

House in front/directly N of sheds. 

Chain link fence surrounding sheds. On 

dead end road. Confirmed open (summer 

2009). 

Mark Klotovich 

1546 W 8600 S 

West Jordan, UT 84084 

Phone: (801) 255-0084 


Holt Mink Ranch 

10291 S 1230 W 

South Jordan, UT 84095 

Phone: (801) 254-4819 

Fax: (801) 446-7005 

Contact: Ryan & Cindy Holt 

Notes: Located east of S 1300 W, off of 

Mabey Lane. Undeveloped residential 

neighborhood under construction along 

south of farm, 

2009. Brick wall along south of propery. 

Ryan Holt is a Board Member, Fur Commission 

USA (as of 2012). Confirmed 



McMullin & Sons Fur Farm 

10471 S 1540 W 

South Jordan, UT 84095 

Phone: (801) 254-2817 

Contact: Lindsey K. McMullin, Brett 

McMullin 


Highway 151/W. South Jordan Parkway. 

Mink. Small farm with 4,000 mink. 8 

sheds. Dense residential neighborhood. 

Close to strip malls & a busy road.Confirmed 



Dawson Mink Farm 

Morgan, UT 

Dillree Fur Farm 

Stoddard, UT 

Seth Dawson’s farm 

Morgan, UT 

Sargent Mink Ranch 

Morgan, UT 

4

Lyle Allen Groves 

(town unknown) 

Utah 

Contact: Lyle & Debra Groves 

Notes: Former mink farm in South Jordan, 

Utah may have relocated. Property 

caretaker indicated in April 2010 that the 

farm may have moved to a property in or 

near Benjamin, UT. Unconfirmed. 

114 mink liberated, early-August, 2008 

(former South Jordan location) 

Blackridge Farms 

181 E 6400 S 

Hyrum, UT 84319 

Phone: (435) 245-6467 or (435) 245-6143 

Contact: Lynn & Tama Mathews 

Contact: Lynn R. Mathews 

Notes: Mink farm. Located south of the 

city, east of Highway 165, north of E 

6600 S. Farm is next to Rosehill Dairy. 


Mitchell Olsen 

350 W 6800 S 

Hyrum, UT 84319 

Phone: (435) 245-4739 or (801) 245-4384 

Fax: (435) 245-6629 


Bytheway Mink Ranch 

2011 S 1600 W 

Lewiston, UT 84320 

Phone: (435) 258-5162 

Contact: Ethan Bytheway 


needed). 

Egbert Mink / Northern Prarie Farms 

1725 W 2000 S 


Phone: (435) 258-5264 

Fax: (435) 258-0444 

Contact: Gary R. Egbert 

Notes: Sheds located on east and west 

sides of S 1600 W, south of W 2000 S 

(located just north of large egg farm). 


King George Furrier 



Phone: (435) 258-2653 

Contact: George Sialaris 

Notes: Mink farm. Farm reported closed 


Fur Farm List 

Kevin Petersen Ranch 

1560 S Main Street 


Phone: (801) 258-5373 

Contact: Kevin L. & Kris Petersen 


(investigation needed). Located at corner 

of W 1600 S. 

fur farm 

S 3800 W 

Logan, UT 84321 

Notes: Mink farm. Located north of 

Mendon Road, west of S 3600 W. 

Jenson Fur Farm 

715 S 1000 W 


Phone: (435) 752-0184 

Fax: (435) 792-8022 

Contact: Cordell O. Jenson, Bruce Jenson 


Mendon Road. Confirmed open (summer 

2009). 

Fur Breeders Agriculture Cooperative 

1000 W 200 N 


Phone: (435) 752-5441 

Contact: Chad Womack, Manager 

Notes: Fur farm feed supplier. Operates 

another production plant in Sandy, UT. 

Sandy location may be closed after fire, 

and all production may be handled by 

Logan plant. Significant feed production 

plant. Delivers to all farms north of 

Morgan, as far north as Grace, ID. On 

SE corner of intersection, across from 

Texaco. One large (2 to 3 story) building 

at N end of property. One short and 

long (1 story) building S of property 

(garages). 

Bohm Mink Farm 

3490 (or 3819) W 600 S 


Lance W. Bohm 

Notes: Mink farm. Four sheds seen 

behind house number 3819 on N side 

of road. Sheds directly behind house. 

Streams on both sides of house/sheds. 

fur farm 

592 N Main Street 

Providence, UT 84332 

Notes: Mink farm. Located east side of 

road, between E 550 N and E 650 N. 

Newly constructed residential neighborhood 

E of sheds. Barbed wire fence sur- 

rounding sheds/property. Neighborhood 

cul-de-sac points right at eastern-most 

shed @ 500 N and 140 E. Confirmed 


North Forty Mink Ranch 

11611 N Hwy. 91 

Richmond, UT 84333 

Phone: (435) 258-2751 or (435) 258-2101 

Contact: Howard Nivison 

Notes: Mink farm. At corner of 

11600 and Hwy 91. Narrow, possibly 

half-row sheds. House SE 

of sheds. Train tracks run directly behind 

farm. Across from Pepperidge Farms 

factory. Small farm. Confirmed open 


9 mink liberated in daylight raid, 2-17-99 

McMullin Farm 

1350 W 5000 N 

Smithfield, UT 84335 

Phone: (435) 563-9336 

Fax: (435) 563-5145 

Contact: Don & Corey McMullin 

Notes: Mink farm. Located between N 

1600 W and N 1200 W, south side of 

road. Horses share lot with mink. Narrow 

stretch of 

trees and thick brush line property to the 

N. House is at a great distance from the 


Gilbert McLachlan 

14321 S. Goshen Bay Road 

Goshen, UT 84633 

Phone: (801) 667-9935 


Red Rock Farms (Choice Farms) 

7528 S 5600 W 

Payson, UT 84651 

Phone: (801) 756-0106 or (801) 756-2047 

Fax: (801) 756-0113 or (801) 756-4639 

Contact: Dixie & Chad Fenn 

Notes: Mink farm. Farm entrance located 

off of W 7300 S? 

fur farm 

8860 S 5600 W 

West Mountain, UT 84651 


Farm located on west side of 

S 5600 W, just south of W 8800 S. 

Westwood Mink 

8137 S 1800 W 

Spanish Fork, UT 84660 

Phone: (801) 798-1786 

4

Fax: (801) 798-1482 

Contact: Paul Westwood 

Notes: Located south of W 8000 S/Highway 

164. Confirmed open (summer 

2009). 


Blue Star Ranch 

2329 W 7300 S 


Phone: (801) 798-9631 

Fax: (801) 465-9019 

Contact: David Davis 


LS Carson Mink Ranch 

6199 S 2800 W 


Phone: (801) 735-7161 

Contact: Larry S. Carson 

Shoreline Feeds 

6245 S 2800 West 

Lake Shore (Spanish Fork), UT 84660 

Phone: (801) 735-7161 

Fax: (801) 756-0113 

Contact: Larry Carson 


MinkMod 

1196 South Mill Road 


Phone: (801) 369-7692 

Web: http://minkmod.com 

Contact: Daniel Davis 

Notes: Manufacturer of “carcass tumbler” 

and other processing equipment for mink 

farmers. 

Van Dyke Mink Farm 

2700 Canyon Road 

Springville, UT 84663 

Phone: (801) 489-6029 

Contact: Robert Van Dyke 

Notes: 5 sheds. Small farm. Located 

south side of road. Shallow stream behind 

sheds. Large undeveloped residential 

neighborhood in rear of farm. Bike path 

runs along back, feet from sheds. Sheds 

at great distance from the house.Confirmed 


LS Carson Mink Ranch 

1553 N 950 East 

Richfield, UT 84701 

Phone: (801) 735-7161 

Contact: Larry S. Carson 

Virginia 

Fur Farm List 

D & S Fox Farm 

16671 Fox Farm Lane 

Elkton, VA 22827 

Phone: (540) 298-9927 

Contact: Scott Dean 

13 foxes liberated, 8-15-12 

Washington 

Erwin G. Joedicke 

919 288th St NW 

Arlington, WA 98223-9181 

(360) 629-4895 


Notes: Possible mink farm. Satellite images 

show mink sheds. Needs investigation. 

Brick Road Fur Farm 

19780 NE 55th Place (alt. 5616 196th 

Avenue NE) 

Redmond, WA 98053 

Phone: (425) 868-4192 

Contact: Blair & Mary Hudson 

Notes: Mink farm. Mary Hudson is Vice 

President, Olympic Fur Breeders Association 

(as of 2012). 

American Legend Cooperative / Seattle 

Fur Exchange 

200 SW 34th Street 

Renton, WA 98055 

Phone: (425) 251-3200 or (800) 551-3906 

Fax: (425) 251-3222 

Contact: Joseph E. Morelli, President & 

CEO 

Notes: “An agricultural marketing cooperative, 

owned and governed by family 

fur farmers. American Legend has more 

than 200 member-owners, approximately 

one-third in Canada and the rest in the 

United States.” Seattle Fur Exchange: 

“North America’s largest fur auction 

house, selling over 70% of the North 

American mink crop annually.” Acts as 

U.S. agent for Fur Harvesters Auction. 

New Age Processors 

200 SW 34th Street 

Renton, WA 98055 

Phone: (425) 656-0174 

Fax: (425) 656-0175 

Notes: Mink pelting/processing facility. 

At same address as American Legend 

Cooperative. 

Marchant’s 

Peoa, UT 

Margett’s Mink Ranch 

West Jordan, UT 

Signs posted at Utah mink farms 

D&B Fur Farm 

Peoa, UT 

4

Northwest Farm Food Co-op 

1370 S. Anacortes Street 

Burlington, WA 98233 

Phone: (360) 757-4225 

Fax: (360) 757-8206 

Contact: Jim Rowe, General Manager; 

Harvey Beck, President 

Notes: Fur farm feed supplier. As of 

2003, also operated plant in Astoria, 

Oregon. 

Marr Mink Farm 

9580 Mount Baker Highway 

-and- 

9471 Cornell Creek Road 

Deming, WA 98244 

Phone: (360) 599-2881 

Fax: (360) 599-3182 

Contact: Dale & Dawn Marr, Dutch 

Marr, Ron Marr 

Notes: Mt. Baker Highway is also known 

as State Route 542; Cornell Creek Road 

is just south of Mt. Baker Highway. 

150-200 mink liberated, 11-6-08 

Beck’s Mink Farm 

17903 Engebretsen Road 

Granite Falls, WA 98252 

Phone: (360) 691-6308 

Fax: (360) 691-5414 

Contact: Harvey & Gincy Beck 

Notes: No house on site. At same address, 

Olympic Fur Breeders Association. 

Harvey Beck is President, Northwest 

Farm Food Co-op (as of 2012). 


Blue Granite Fur Farm 

7715 Robe Menzel Road 

Granite Falls, WA 98252 

Phone: (360) 691-5026 

Contact: Harold B. & Mary Craggs, Jeff 

& Allison Craggs 

Notes: Mink farm. Located on east side 

of road. House at a great distance from 

sheds. Farm reported closed (investigation 

needed). 

Brainard Mink Ranch 

19127 Welch Road 

Snohomish, WA 98290 

Contact: Raymond & Dianne Brainard 

Phone: (360) 668-2991 or (360) 668-8763 

Notes: Located south of State Route 522, 

west of the Snohomish River. Reported 

closed (summer 2011). 

Fur Farm List 

Roesler Brothers Fur Farm 

33425 138th Street SE 

Sultan, WA 98294 

Phone: (360) 793-0429 

Fax: (360) 793-7523 

Contact: Brad & Kate Roesler, Jeff 

Roesler 

Notes: Mink farm. Located west of 339th 

Avenue SE, north of US Hwy. 2. Located 

at the end of a dirt road west of 339th Avenue 

SE, north of the McDonalds on US 

Hwy. 2. Sheds surrounded by dense 

forest. No house on site. Brad Roesler is 

President, Olympic Fur Breeders Association 

(as of 2012) and Vice President, 

Northwest Farm Food Co-op (as 

of 2012). Kate Roesler is Secretary, Fur 

Commission USA (as of 2012). 


Olsen Mink Ranch 

4695 Reese Hill Road 

Sumas, WA 98295 

Notes: Farm reported closed (investigation 

needed). 

United Farms 

23212 86th Avenue E 

Graham, WA 98338 

Phone: (253) 847-4230 

Fax: (253) 847-2345 

Contact: John Annon, Dale Pedersen 

Notes: Large farm. Not visible from 

road. Located west of 86th Ave. Near 

very residential neighborhoods. Underconstruction, 

uninhabited neighborhood 

along farm’s south side (2009). Several 

fences around sheds. Sheds at a distance 

from the house. Reporteldy the farm also 

imprisons a single wolf in an outdoor 

pen. Confirmed open (summer 2009). 

Miller’s Mink Ranch 

2823 Addy Gifford Road 

Gifford, WA 99131 

Phone: (509) 722-6334 

Contact: Mike & Gina Miller 

Notes: Confirmed open (fall 2011). 


Washington State University 

Experimental fur farm 

3055 Antelope Trail 

Pullman WA 99164 

Phone: (509) 335-7321 

Notes: Experimental fur farm. Reports 

place the likely location for the experimental 

fur farm at the above address, 

which is an unmarked dirt road extend- 

ing east from Airport Rd, on the eastern 

edge of the WSU campus. Antelope Trail 

is reached via dirt road going east from 

intersection of Airport Road & Wilson 

Rd. The suspected site of the farm is on 

the south side of the narrow dirt road, 

not visible from Airport Rd. This facility 

also houses deer “…and other wildlife 

species” (from W.S.U literature). WSU 

fur industry researcher John R. Gorham 

died in October 2011. Dr. Gorham 

received funding from the fur industry 

for many years, including a $10,000 grant 

from Fur Commission USA in 2010, to 

study diseases in mink. David J. Prieur, 

also at WSU, has also received funding 

from Fur Commission USA. 

Six mink, seven coyotes, and ten mice 

liberated; 8-13-91. Two offices 

had extensive damage done, slogans 

spray-painted, and equipment and computers 

damaged. $150,000 in damages. 

Wisconsin 

Pagel Mink Ranch 

W1095 County Road B 

Campbellsport, WI 53010 

Phone: (920) 477-4794 or (920) 477-4792 

Contact: John W. & Carole Pagel 


Burg Bros. Mink Ranch 

W5450 Ecker Lakeland 

Chilton, WI 53014 

Phone: (920) 439-1737 

Contact: Bennett & June Burg 



Bartel & Winkel 

W976 County Road HHH 

Chilton, WI 53014 

Phone: (920) 898-5911 

Contact: Andy Bartel 



T & T Mink 

W1300 Sheboygan Road 

Elkhart Lake, WI 53020 

Phone: (920) 894-7688 

Fax: (920) 894-7806 

Contact: Thomas Winkel 

Notes: Street address is approximate. Located 

at southeast corner of Sexton Road 

and Sheboygan Road. Directly east of 

Dean Foods Dairy. Dilapidated barn on 

site. Barn may be a house, but it is likely 

4

there is no house on site. Confirmed 


LaBudde Group, Inc. 


Grafton, WI 53024 

Phone: (262) 375-9111 

Fax: (262) 375-9058 

Contact: Richard T. Erickson 


Autumn River Farms 

W5379 Eagle Road 

Juneau, WI 53039 

Phone: (920) 204-8346 

Contact: Mike & Marion Mclay, David 

McLay 

Notes: Mink farm. Located 1/2 mile west 

of State Hwy. 115, south side of road. 

Hidden Acres Fur Farm 

17930 Church Road 

Kiel, WI 53042 

Phone: (920) 773-2524 

Contact: Phillip Endries, Pete Endries 

Notes: Fox farm. Farm may be closed; 

may only operate as a rendering business 

(investigation needed). Located southwest 

of the village of St. Nazianz. 

fur farm (Oak Grove Fur Farm?) 

W2359 County Road WH 

Mount Calvary, WI 53057 

Notes: Mink farm. Located at junction 

of County Road WH and County Road 

W, north side of road. Confirmed open 


National Feeds (National Fur Foods) 

1310 Milwaukee Drive 

New Holstein, WI 53061 

Phone: (800) 558-5803 

Fax: (920) 898-5424 

Contact: Dré Sanders, Director, National 

Fur Foods 

Notes: Fur farm feed supplier; producers 

of fox and mink feed. Owned by Buschur 

Feeds (New Weston, OH). 

Preissner Fur Farm 

New Holstein, WI 

Owner: Dennis Preissner, “Third generation 

fur farmer” 


Notes: Unlocated farm. Information 

points to this farm being open as of 

2005. Address unknown. “Having to constantly 

watch my property making sure 

someone is not breaking in really takes 

Fur Farm List 

its toll”. (farmer quote, 2005) 

Associated Fur Farms 

N1326 County Road J 

(alternate address/same location: W846 

Fur Farm Road) 


Contact: R. Todd Langenfeld, Shaw C. 

Langenfeld, Maxwell T. Langenfeld 

Notes: Large mink farm. Located at 

corner of County Road J and Fur Farm 

Road. Confirmed open (summer 2009). 

B & P Thelen Ranch 

W830 Fur Farm Road 


Phone: (920) 286-0929 or (920) 898-5929 

Contact: Brad & Paula Thelen 

Notes: Located next to Associated Fur 

Farms. 

fur farm 

Foundry Road 



corner of Foundry Road and County 

Road A. 

D & N Mink / Halbach Mink Ranch 

W1314 Foundry Road 


Phone: (920) 898-9195 

Contact: Donald & Nancy Halbach, Scott 

Halbach 

Notes: Located at corner of Foundry 

Road & Plymouth Trail. Confirmed open 


Bonlander Mink Ranch 

W1597 Foundry Road 


Phone: (920) 898-5607 

Contact: Gary & Virginia Bonlander 


Smies Fur Farm 

W1618 Smies Road 

Oostburg, WI 53070 

Phone: (920) 668-6075 or (920) 668-6053 

Contact: Abram Smies, Steve Smies 

Notes: Located on the west shore of Lake 

Michigan. Sign posted announcing a 

$500 reward from 

the Farm Bureau for information leading 

to the conviction of animal liberators. 

House close to sheds. Confirmed open 


Voskull Mink Ranch 

N2141 State Road 32 


Contact: Martin Voskull 

Notes: Located just north of Demaster 

Road. Farm may be closed (investigation 

needed). 

Zimbal Minkery 

9632 Sauk Trail Road 


Phone: (920) 207-1533 

Contact: Jim & Laura Zimbal 

Notes: Large mink farm. Confirmed open 



6020 Wilson Lima Road 


Phone: (920) 564-2118 or (920) 467-8125 

Fax: (920) 564-2788 

Contact: Robert Jr. & Linda Zimbal 

Notes: The two Zimbal farms are said 

to form the largest mink farm in North 

America. 40,000 breeding females producing 

up to 5 kits a year (up to 240,000 

mink imprisoned). Farm is located at the 

end of Abraham Court, off of County 

Trunk A. Railroad tracks and convenient 

railroad service road run along east side 

of farm. 


Blanke’s Hilltop Fur Farm 

W6343 State Road 67 

Plymouth, WI 53073 

Phone: (920) 254-1526 or (920) 892-4287 

Fax: (920) 893-0368 

Contact: Melvin O. Blanke 

Notes: Mink farm. Located east of Oak 

Road, southwest of the town of Plymouth. 


Mel H. Blanke 

114 E. Mill Street 


Notes: Legal Counsel for Fur Commission 

USA. 

United Feeds, Inc. 



Phone: (920) 526-3211 

Fax: (920) 526-3213 

Contact: Melvin O. Blanke, President 

Notes: Fur farm feed supplier. Large 

complex. Three buildings.Several semi 

trucks with “United Feeds” logo. Collectively 

owned among approx. 26 fur 

4

farmers. Located west of the town of 

Plymouth. 

Kettle Moraine Mink Breeders Association 

N5350 Country Aire Road 


John S. Easley, DVM 

Kettle Moraine Large Animal Clinic 

1020 S. Pleasant View Road 


Phone: (920) 892-4696 

Fax: (888) 256-1050 

Notes: Easley is Director of Research, 

Fur Commission USA (Mink Farmers 

Research Foundation). 


2111 Washington Avenue 

Sheboygan, WI 53081 

Phone: (920) 452-7380 or (920) 467-8125 

Fax: (920) 803-0662 

Contact: Robert H. Zimbal 

Notes: Located south of Washington Avenue 

at a distance, across railroad tracks. 

Very close to busy 

road and shopping centers. Second location 

of the Zimbal Minkery. As many as 

240,000 mink imprisoned 

between the two locations. 

TMR Furs 

N3481 County Road A 

Sheboygan Falls, WI 53085 

Phone: (920) 918-6764 or (920) 564-3115 

Fax: (920) 467-3372 

Contact: Nick Trimberger, Gerard Trimberger 


County Road A and Kurscheid Court. 


Thomas F. Hawe 

N2594 Blueberry Lane 

Waldo, WI 53093 

Phone: (920) 528-8388 

Notes: Mink farm. Tom Hawe died in 

July 2012. Farm may be closed (investigation 

needed). 

Krieger Fur Farm 

17320 93rd Street 

Bristol, WI 53104 

Phone: (262) 857-2079 or (262) 857-4060 

Contact: Gerald R. Krieger 

Notes: Mink farm. 10+ foot wall of cages 

constructed around 

portions of farm. 93rd Street is also 

Fur Farm List 

known as County Road C. Gerald 

Krieger is Chairman of the Board of the 

American Legend Cooperative (as of 

2011). Confirmed open (summer 2009). 


Kurhajec Fur Farm 

9602 West 3 Mile Road 

Franksville, WI 53126 

Phone: (262) 835-2866 or (262) 835-4066 

Fax: (262) 835-1623 

Contact: Jim & Shelly Kurhajec 

Notes: Mink farm. Farm not visible from 

street; entrance just west of 96th Street. 

Bill & Sandy Peterson 

6682 Hospital Road 

Burlington, WI 53105 

Phone: (262) 763-5623 


Fur Harvesters Auction 

400 England Street 

Cambridge, WI 53523 

Phone: (608) 423-4814 or (608) 225-9153 

Fax: (608) 423-4804 

Contact: Greg Schroeder 

Notes: Fur receiving and grading facility. 

Fur Harvesters Auction’s corporate headquarters 

is located in Ontario, Canada. 

Klubertanz Equipment Company 

1165 State Road 73 

Edgerton, WI 53534 

Phone: (800) 237-3899 or (608) 884-9481 

Fax: (608) 884-7509 

Contact: Richard Klubertanz, President 

Notes: Supplier of wire, cages and equipment 

to mink and fox farmers. 

Wyndway Mink Ranch 

N5512 County Road S 

Lake Mills, WI 53551 

Phone: (920) 648-5742 

Fax: (920) 648-8805 

Contact: Kurt Siegel 


(summer 2012). Located at corner of 

County Road S and County Road A. 

Neo-Dynamics 

4738 Bergamot Way, Suite 200 

Middleton, WI 53562 

Phone: (800) 206-7227 

Fax: (608) 831-4669 

Contact: Tim J. Cairns 

Notes: Manufacturer of melatonin implants 

(used by mink farmers to speed 

fur growth). Neo-Dynamics is a related 

company to Melatek, a manufacturer of 

melatonin implants for ferrets and dogs. 

North American Fur Auctions 

205 Industrial Circle 

Stoughton, WI 53589 

Phone: (800) 872-3877 or (608) 205-9200 

Fax: (608) 205-9210 

Contact: Gregg Dolinsky, Senior Vice 

President, North American Operations 

Notes: U.S. head office, fur grading facility 

(NAFA’s corporate office and auction 

facility is located in Toronto, Canada). 

NAFA is the largest fur auction house in 

North America and is a major seller of 

mink and fox from fur farms, as well as 

wild fur. 

Gary Anzia 

960 Lake Drive 

Port Washington, WI 53704 

Phone: (920) 689-4018 or (920) 284-6018 

Contact: Gary & Sharon Anzia 


United Vaccines, Inc. 

2919 Commerce Park Drive 

Fitchburg, WI 53719 

Phone: (800) 283-6465 or (608) 276-5501 

Fax: (608) 276-5545 

Contact: Wim Verhagen, CEO; Rebecca 

Kerns, Managing Director 

Notes: Supplies vaccines to fur farmers in 

North America and Europe. 

Notes: Evidence mink research is conducted 

at unknown facility in neighboring 

Verona, WI. 

310 mink liberated from former research 

ranch location in Middleton, WI; 7-4-98 

Mark Hansen 

N7243 N. Crystal Lake 

Beaver Dam, WI 53916 



Hillside Fox Ranch 

W6779 Milligan Road 

Waupun, WI 53963 

Phone: (920) 324-3176 

Contact: Lyle & Helen Bronkhorst 

Notes: Fox farm. Located at corner of 

Milligan Road and Business Highway 

151/County Road M. 

Pens set back from road, barely visible. 

Very close to railroad tracks, which run 

along the E. Confirmed open (summer 

2009). 

0

David Mink Ranch 

N2172 South 27th Road 

Coleman, WI 54112 

Contact: Judith J. David 


needed). 

West Bay Fur 

N2795 Shore Drive 

Marinette, WI 54143 

Phone: (715) 735-3732 or (715) 732-4894 

Fax: (715) 735-9175 

Contact: Charles & Sharon LaCourt 


Rader Road. Entrance to farm is just 

south of the Shore Crest bar. 

Langer Farms 

N921 Norman Road / E3285 Fur Lane 

Kewaunee, WI 54216 

Phone: (920) 776-1207 

Contact: James W. Langer, Kenneth J. 

Langer 

Notes: Mink farm. “Fur Lane” is the 

name given to the farm’s driveway. 

Houses 20,000 mink as of 1997. Located 

just north of Sandy Bay Road. Confirmed 


Sandy Bay Mink Ranch 

2228 Cherney Road 

Mishicot, WI 54228 

Phone: (920) 755-2834 or (800) 999-2834 

Fax: (920) 755-4707 

Contact: Brad L. Wiebensohn, Kurt 

Wiebensohn 

Notes: Mink and other unknown species. 

Large farm, with 30,000 animals as of 

1997. Animals valued at 2.5 to 3 million 

dollars (1997). Farmer reports he raises 

mink “among other things” 

(1997). Located at corner of Cherney 

Road and W. 

Samz Road. 

Roger Schroeder 

5200 N 89th Street 

Wausau, WI 54403 

Phone: (715) 842-3681 



Wisco Feeds (Wisco Milling) 

114 S. First Street 

Abbotsford, WI 54405 

Phone: (715) 223-4596, (715) 223-4211 

Contact: Alwyn K. Pedersen 


Fur Farm List 

Ewan Fur Farm 

1846 County Road A 

Athens, WI 54411 

Phone: (715) 257-7333 

Contact: Donald Ewan, Richard Ewan 



Tony Pavek 

W6220 Hwy. 64 

Bryant, WI 54418 

Phone: (715) 627-7721 


of road, just west of 5th Avenue Road 

(east of the town of Polar). 

Fur Farm 

3424 5th Ave 

Polar, WI 

Status: Confirmed open, 2009. 

Species: Mink. 

Notes: Undergoing expansion, 2009. 

Sheds at great distance from house. W 

side of road, before Hattes St. 

Omega Mink Ranch 

N3510 5th Avenue Road 

Polar, WI 54418 

Phone: (715) 627-4842 or (715) 623-3586 

Contact: Guy & Mary Pavek 


corner of 5th Avenue Road and Hwy. 64, 

east of the town of Polar. 

Deerbrook Mink Ranch / Pavek Mink 

and Fox Farm 

6081 Hwy 64 


Roberty T. Pavek 

Status: Evidence points to active, 2009. 

Source: Internal fur industry documents, 

on-site investigation. 

Notes: Row of sheds S of house, slightly 

downhill. Visible from the beginning 

of 5th Ave, E side. Paperwork obtained 

lists this address as open, and as housing 

mink and fox. First name is from 

Secretary of State records, second from 

fur industry documents. 

Kevin & Lisa Pavek 

W6124 Hattes Lane 


Phone: (715) 627-1280 

Notes: Mink farm. Located off of 5th 

Avenue Road, approx. 1 mile south of 

Hwy. 64. 

Pavek Mink & Fox Ranch 

N5209 Rosedale Road 

Deerbrook, WI 54424 

Contact: Robert T. Pavek 



Brecke Farms 

5986 Reynolds Avenue 

Dorchester, WI 54425 

Phone: (715) 654-5678 

Contact: Gerald & Pat Brecke 

Notes: Mink farm. Located at end of 

Reynolds Ave., just south of County Line 

Road. Sheds best visible from County 

Line Rd (Reynolds Ave is a dead end/ 

driveway to farm). House N of sheds, in 

close proximity. Confirmed open (summer 

2009). 

Jon Hackel 

W983 Huckleberry Street 

Edgar, WI 54426 

Phone: (715) 352-3267 

Notes: Mink farm. Located at intersection 

with Short Road. 

Evergreen Mink Ranch 

W4970 Harmon Road 

Elton, WI 54430 

Phone: (715) 882-1100 

Contact: Dale Christensen 


Larson Mink Ranch 

W4471 Buckner Road 

Elton, WI 54430 

Phone: (715) 882-2741 

Contact: Dave Larson 


Chelf’s Mink Ranch 

N7498 County Road H 

Irma, WI 54442 

Phone: (715) 453-8847 

Fax: (715) 453-9057 

Contact: Michael J. & Diane Chelf 


House at distance from sheds. Located 

just south of Leach Road. County Road 

H is also known as County Road V. 

Blasel Fur Farm 

W3923 Apple Avenue 

Medford, WI 54451 

Phone: (715) 678-2501 

Fax: (715) 678-2783 

Contact: Dennis & Amy Blasel 

Notes: Mink farm.

Henry & Patricia Deml, Inc. 

N2375 Hemlock Drive 


Phone: (715) 748-2151 

Contact: Henry G. Deml 


(summer 2009). Located west of Hemlock 

Drive, off of 

County Road O. Sheds set back far 

from road, visible from County Road O. 

Mailbox reads “Bigley-Deml” off CR-O. 

Thick treeline between CR-O and sheds. 

Cornfield service road, S on Hemlock, 

runs along S side of sheds. 

Romie Deml Mink Ranch 

N3641County Road E 


Contact: Romie Deml 

Notes: Located south of Center Avenue; 

next to Kalmon’s Fur Farm. No farm 

behind 3641 address. Farm is on the 

SE corner of the CR-E and Center Ave 

intersection, across the street from this 

address. 3641 mailbox reads “Deml”. 


Kalmon’s Fur Farm 

N3647 County Road E 


Phone: (715) 748-5506 

Fax: (715) 748-0719 

Contact: George & Rita Kalmon 


Center Avenue; next to Romie Deml 

Mink Ranch. Visible from Center Ave 

and CR-E. Long sheds W of house, in 

close proximity to farmer and neighbor’s 

houses. “Kalmon” on mailbox. Confirmed 


Medford Fur Food 

N3528 State Highway 13 


Phone: (715) 748-2255 

Fax: (715) 748-4548 

Contact: Tony Kleifgen, Manager 

Notes: Fur farm feed supplier. Five semi 

trucks and other vehicles seen on the 

property. 

Mildbrand Mink Ranch 

W5339 Whittlesey Avenue 


Phone: (877) 519-8933 or (715) 748-3988 

Fax: (715) 748-9007 

Contact: Scott & Gail Mildbrand 


Fur Farm List 

Located just west of Highway 13. S side 

of road. House is barely visible from, but 

close to, road. Two dirt driveways on 

property. Sheds are S of house and barn, 

not visible from road.Mildbrand’s also 

operate a Christmas tree farm (www.swswis.com/mildbrandchristmastrees). 

Albers Mink Ranch 

W5299 Pleasant Avenue 


Phone: (715) 748-5783 

Contact: Mike & Lynn Albers 


Located between Highway 13 and Crane 

Drive. Sheds are very close to street on 

dirt road. Apparently vacant lot with access 

road E of property and across street. 

Black and white mink. House set SE 

from sheds, down long driveway. 

Central Mink Foods 

651 S. Whelan Avenue 


Phone: (715) 748-3188 

Contact: Bruce Jentzsch 

Notes: Fur farm feed supplier. On west 

side of road. Single building. One small 

delivery truck in rear with “Central Mink 

Foods” logo.Confirmed open (Winter 

2009). 

A&M Dittrich Mink Farm 

N3472 Grahl Drive 


Phone: (715) 785-8000 or (715) 748-9839 

Fax: (715) 785-8001 

Contact: Jorn Mogensen, Manager 

Notes: Very large fur farm. Located just 

south of Center Avenue. Visible from 

Grahl Dr. and Center Ave. Watchtower 

NE of sheds. 

Ed Dittrich Mink Ranch 

879 E Perkins Street 


Phone: (715) 748-4359 

Fax: (715) 748-2092 

Contact: Edward Dittrich 

Notes: Located near downtown Medford. 

One of the oldest farms in the country, 

founded 1928. Confirmed open (summer 

2009). 

Hugh Hildebrandt, DVM 

Medford Veterinary Clinic 

898 S. Gibson Street 


Phone: (715) 748-2341 

Fax: (715) 748-6674 

Web: http://medfordvet.com 

Notes: Fur industry researcher (received 


in 2010; received $7,000 grant in 2006). 

Hildebrandt is editor of “Fur Animal 

Research Letter,” a quarterly newsletter 

published by the Fur Commission USA. 

Jentzsch Mink Ranch 

1195 S. 8th Street 


Phone: (715) 748-4587 or (715) 748-5937 

or (715) 748-3036 

Fax: (715) 748-4861 

Contact: Brad Jentzsch, Brian Jentzsch 


Large farm. Located just south of 

downtown Medford. Located just east of 

Central Mink 

Foods and south of Ed Dittrich Mink 

Ranch. 

Ken Holmes Mink Ranch 

W8956 County Road M 


Phone: (715) 785-7825 

Fax: (715) 785-7185 

Contact Kenneth & Mary Holmes 

Notes: Located on north side of road. 

Geiger Mink Farm 

1000 Gardner Park Road 

Mosinee, WI 54455 

Phone: (715) 359-7839 

Fax: (715) 843-3353 

Contact: Thomas & Barbara Geiger 

Notes: Located at corner of Gardner Park 

Road and River Forest Lane; just east of 

the Wisconsin River.Open- M. Gardner 

Park Rd is unmarked road just south of 

Weston Power Plant. Best view of farm is 

from footpath at end of Blueberry Lane 

(dead end road off Russell St), which 

leads directly 

to farm’s rear. In a dense residential 

neighborhood.Confirmed open (summer 

2009). 

Magnuson Fur Farm 

W2166 Forest Drive 

Ogema, WI 54459 

Phone: (715) 767-5480 or (715) 767-5734 

Contact: Herb Magnuson, Frank Magnuson 


(summer 2009). Located at corner of 

Forest Drive and Springdale Drive, off of 

County Road C.

Washington State University 

Department of veterinary medicine experimental 

fur farm 

Pullman, WA 

Anonymous report. 

(Note: This anonymous 2009 report has two items 

of outdated information: It is believed this lab is no 

longer a USDA facility, and Dr. Gorham has died. His 

work is believed to be continued by David J. Prieur.) 

“When the call went out soliciting the 

location of the USDA Fur Bearer Research 

Facility in Pullman, WA; we made 

the drive to locate the research farm 

ourselves. 

It’s been speculated the better part of 

the fur farm addresses we have today 

were confiscated from fur industry 

research labs raided during Operation Bite 

Back. One address that never surfaced 

was for one of the facilities raided, the 

USDA Fur Bearer Research Facility at 

Washington State University. To this day, 

John Gorham remains the second largest 

recipient of research grants from the 

Fur Commission USA, and holds the 

title of one of the world’s foremost mink 

researchers. Gorham is still very much in 

business, and still a key figure in keeping 

the U.S. fur industry alive. 

The A.L.F.-authored publication Memories 

of Freedom – an anonymous account of 

every (claimed) action in Operation Bite 

Back – offers the only published information 

giving clues on the research farm’s 

whereabouts. Extracted from Chapter 

Four, we had only these crumbs of info 

to aid in our search: 

• 

• 

• 

• 

The farm was surrounded by barbed 

wire 

On the “outskirts” of campus 

Surrounded by grassland 

“…on a road to the local airport” 

With little information to work with, we 

made the long drive to Pullman, WA 

to find the farm. We quickly narrowed 

the area that could potentially house 

the research farm to the various ag-research 

animal pens along Airport Road, 

on WSU’s eastern edge. As described 

in M.O.F., along Airport Road we found 

pens of grizzly bears, sheep, goats, 

cows, and numerous other exotic and 

non-exotic species confined to small pens 

by WSU’s expansive animal research 

machine. 

At night, we explored the small labyrinth 

of dirt roads and paths along Airport 

Road on foot. In four hours, after 

inspecting numerous sheds, pens, and 

barns, we had narrowed potential sites 

for the farm to two locations: 

• 

• 

Two sheds of empty cages behind 

1040 NE Airport Road. 

A fenced outdoor facility off a dirt 

Anonymous Report 

road adjacent to Wilson Rd, housing 

various sheds and pens. 

Evidence pointing to the former was its 

location close to the only known address 

associated with WSU mink research: 

“1040 NE Airport Rd”. The sheds approximated 

the design of mink sheds, if 

bisected lengthwise. However the feeding 

devices on the cages appeared to 

more closely resemble those for birds 

than mink. And there was no grassy hill 

above the sheds, as described in M.O.F. 

Nothing else found near this address was 

likely to house mink. We took numerous 

photos of the two sheds for future 

review. 

Our strongest suspicions fell on a heavily 

secured facility tucked a quarter mile 

from Airport Road. Binoculars failed to 

reveal what was inside, but certain large 

animal pens were visible, along with a 

large shed and barn. We left to do more 

research and return the following night for 

a closer look – and final answer. 

The next morning we reviewed old 

campus maps in the library, and older 

archived satellite images. One thing stood 

out: images from the early-1990s show 

two long sheds in an area inspected the 

night before, where there was now a 

vacant field. Their long and narrow form 

would make it unlikely they housed anything 

other than mink. 

Comparing new and old images revealed 

something further: While the sheds had 

been demolished, the fenced area under 

suspicion from the night before had been 

greatly expanded. Had the WSU consolidated 

its wildlife research into one secured 

facility after the 1992 A.L.F. raid? 

The next night we made the hike back 

to this location. The site is hidden off a 

dark, unmarked dirt road (later learned 

to be called “Antelope Trail”) branching 

east off Airport Road. Unlike every 

other animal facility off Airport Rd, this 

one was heavily secure, with a high 

barbed-wire fence, motionsensor spotlights, 

several video cameras, and heavy 

lighting. At the rear of the facility, we 

found numerous animal pens. When our 

eyes adjusted to the darkness, we found 

ourselves face to face with numerous 

deer, confined to small pens. We spent 

many minutes sharing the silence of the 

night with these animals, staring at us 

from behind two layers of fencing. 

Beyond the deer pens, a large shed 

in the center had it’s contents mostly 

obscured, and any animals that may be 

inside were not visible. On the north, 

elevated just above the compound and 

outside its fence, were three outdoor 

animal pens that were found empty. 

Inside the pens were red lights indicating 

alarms (or merely the appearance of 

them to serve as a deterrent). 

We moved towards the most suspicious 

portion of the site: the low-lying sheds 

in the NE corner, where we suspected 

the mink were housed. The obscured 

siding told us whatever was inside was 

not domesticated enough to live in a 

totally enclosed structure, but was 

something the animals’ captors wanted 

shielded from public view. We were 

within 20 feet of the pens when, from 

inside, a red flashlight began moving 

towards us. We vanished into the 

grasslands, just short of an answer as 

to what lay inside the sheds at 3055 

Antelope Trail. 

The following day we returned in daylight 

for photos, which are being submitted 

with this report. 

Although inconclusive, evidence indicates 

that 3055 Antelope Trail is the most 

likely location for the mink imprisoned at 

W.S.U. A review of the evidence: 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Its level of security is commensurate 

with a facility fearing a(nother) 

break-in, and inconsistent with security 

at all other animal pens at WSU 

(where security is absent). 

A WSU building list puts the address 

as a “Wildlife Bio Animal Holding 

Facility” 

Allowing for the possibility this facility 

housed mink at the time of the 

A.L.F. raid; there are several animal 

pens (large enough for coyotes) on 

a hill just above this facility, consistent 

with the M.O.F. description 

(coyotes were released during the 

A.L.F. action from a “hill above the 

fur farm”). 

WSU describes this address as 

housing deer “…and other wildlife 

species”. 

The low-lying sheds in back are 

consistent with the general height 

of mink sheds, a height unique to 

structures housing mink (among 

commonly raised livestock). 

Barring the possibility the research 

farm has been moved to an entirely 

different part of campus since the 

A.L.F. raid, our extensive survey of 

the “road to the local airport” found 

these to be the only pens whose 

captives we could not confirm, and 

the only location found with the potential 

to house mink. 

The combined evidence and photos make 

a strong but inconclusive case for 3055 

Antelope Trail as being the location of 

the experimental fur farm. 

Anonymous”

Possible location of Washington State 

University experimental fur farm 

Pullman, WA 

Six mink, seven coytoes, ten mice rescued, 8-13-91 

ALF communique 

Malecky Mink Ranch, Yamhill, OR 

Processing plant is set on fire. $125,000 in damages. 

The farm closes. 

VICTORY 

“December 21 1991 – Western Wildlife Cell members of 

the Animal Liberation Front (A.L.F.) raided Malecky Mink 

Ranch in Yamhill, Oregon, and set an incendiary device that 

destroyed the processing plant of this farm near Salem. 

Intelligence sources revealed that the fur farm was to be 

sold, with intentions to continue exploitation of fur animals. 

Malecky Mink Ranch was a recipient of information 

form Oregon State University’s Experimental Fur Farm 

and had developed innovative methods of commercial 

exploitation of mink for the fur trade. 

No mink or humans were injured in the A.L.F.’s fourth 

action against the United States Fur Farm industry. 

Fleshing machines, drying drums, skinning racks, feed 

mixers, freezers, and a workshop were all effectively 

destroyed in this economic attack against the tools of 

death and destruction. 

This action was taken to avenge the lives of mink 

murdered on the ranch in the past and to prevent 

the further imprisonment of native wildlife in the future. 

750,000 mink are slaughtered every winter in the 

Northwest for trade and four million nationwide on over 

(illegible –ed.) fur farms. 

The Animal Liberation Front also announces a new 

campaign against the fur trade, one that directly targets 

the insensitive humans who wear fur garments. We will 

fight the fur-wearers in the streets. No longer shall the 

ecological arrogance of the public supporters of the fur 

trade go unchallenged. A.L.F. members shall arm themselves 

with battery acid and dye, and will inflict damage 

on the furs worn by humans. Fur is for four-leggeds, 

not two. The lives of fur animals will be avenged. 

The fur industry is responsible for the demise of not only 

native north american wildlife, but the destruction of Native 

peoples’ cultures as well. Over the last four hundred 

years this barbaric industry has waged a genocidal war 

against animals and humans. Through the introduction 

of social and physical disease, the fur trade has forced 

native people to participate in their bloody practice, or 

perish like so many animals in traps and cages. 

It is time to eliminate this anthropocentric profit-centered 

beast before the last howl is heard. A.L.F. calls on all 

peoples to join in the battle against this ecologically destructive 

regime, and to defend the defenseless from the 

oppression of our own species. 

We must destroy that which destroys the animals, earth, 

and ourselves. On behalf of the mink, fox, bobcat, lynx, 

and coyote nations. 

A.L.F. shall wage non-violent war against the fur trade. 

Until the last fur farm is burned to the ground. 

Animal Liberation Front, Western Wildlife Cell”

Patrick Fur Farm 

W3746 W Rib Road 

Rib Lake, WI 54470 

Phone: (715) 427-5260 

Fax: (715) 427-3300 

Contact: Michael Patrick, Kyle Patrick 

Notes: Mink farm. Large farm. Located 

off of State Hwy. 102, south of the town 

center. N side of road. Sheds directly on 

road. Large property with several buildings 

and trucks. “Patrick Fur Farm Inc” 

on semi truck door. One or two sheds 

at far SE of propoerty are under possible 

construction for expansion (saw small 

tractors with stacked cages and planks 

of wood for building, 2009) Breeding 

records visible from road. Sign on building 

reads “Patrick Fur Farm, Fine Darks”. 


Brecke Mink Ranch 

N246 Oriole Drive 

Stetsonville, WI 54480 

Phone: (715) 678-2282 

Fax: (715) 678-2976 

Contact: Edward & Ann Brecke 

Notes: Very large fur farm. Very large fur 

farm. E side of road. A few sheds directly 

on Oriole Drive. Rest set farm back from 

road. Sheds on Oriole are S of mailbox 

number 206. Many sheds set at quite a 

distance from the house. Confirmed open 


Ames Mink Farm 

9879 Siemering Drive 

Tomahawk, WI 54487 

Phone: (715) 453-8828 

Fax: (715) 453-6125 

Contact: Arvid Ames 

Notes: Large fur farm. Siemering Drive 

is off/west of US Business Highway 51. 

House N of sheds. Large field to E of 

sheds. Most 

sheds are at a great distance form the 

house. Deer farm found just N of Ames 

property, located at 9948 Siemering 

Drive.Confirmed open (summer 2009). 

Ott’s Mink Ranch 

N10685 Red Pine Road 


Contact: Alex & Jennifer Ott 

Phone: (715) 453-8845 

Fax: (715) 453-7606 

Notes: Located off/east of Tannery Road. 

Farm is close to train tracks. 


Fur Farm List 

Gessler’s Pine Ridge Mink Ranch 

N11856 Heafford Road 


Phone: (715) 453-5591 

Contact: David Gessler 

Notes: Located north of Beach Road. 

House on Heafford, sheds directly on 

Beach Rd (road for 

public beach access). Half block from a 

public park on one side, beachfront park 

on the other.Confirmed open (summer 

2009). 

Zuleger Fur Farm 

N7975 Zimmerman Road 

Westboro, WI 54490 

Phone: (715) 427-1002 

Contact: Eric & Rebecca Zuleger 

Notes: Fox farm. Located at southwest 

corner of Zimmerman Road (NF-101) 

and Rindt Road (NF-564). 

Zwickey Fur Farm 

6775 Ole Lake Road 

Rhinelander, WI 54501 

Phone: (715) 369-8986 or (715) 369-2308 

Contact: Terry Berndt, Douglas Zwickey 


Sherfield Farm 

2947 N County Road Ff 

Butternut, WI 54514 

Phone: (715) 476-2808 

Contact: Dale & Cathy Sherfield 


County Road Ff and Miller Road, west 

side of road. Farm is located behind a bar 

called “Camp 1.” Property was for sale as 

of September 2010. 

Chartier Fur Farm 

13901 Moss Lake Drive 

Lac Du Flambeau, WI 54538 

Contact: Francis & Anna Maria Chartier 



George Valiga Sr. 

Pine Lane 

Phillips, WI 54555 


Somo Fur Ranch 

W12081 Barneys Drive 

Tripoli, WI 54564 

Phone: (715) 564-2595 

Contact: Bob Findler 

Notes: Mink farm. Farm may be closed (in- 

vestigation needed). Located at SE corner 

of Barneys Drive and County Road Yy. 

Breezy Point Mink Ranch 

W14152 Garden Valley Lane 

Blair, WI 54616 

Phone: (608) 989-2995 

Contact: Judy Peters 

Joseph Schrock 

S11481 Stinson Road 

Augusta, WI 54722 



Roger Woodford 

S 101 S 150th Avenue 

Fall Creek, WI 54742 

Phone: (715) 877-3308 


Gamroth Mink Ranch 


Independence, WI 54747 

Phone: (715) 985-3530 or (715) 985-3462 

Fax: (715) 985-5217 

Contact: Scott & Allan Gamroth 


(summer 2009). Located next door to 

Smieja Fur Farm. State Road 121 is also 

known as Whitehall Road. Busy street. 

Twin Pine Fur Farm (Smieja Fur Farm) 


Independence, WI 54747 

Phone: (715) 985-3020 or (715) 985-3713 

Contact: Tom & Jan Olson 




Northwest Mink Ranch 

N4533 Zebro Road 

Bruce, WI 54819 

Phone: (715) 868-3581 

Fax: (715) 868-3582 

Contact: Hans Haugen, Ami Shotton- 

Heil Notes: Large farm. “Northwest Mink 

Ranches Inc” sign on Hwy 8 and Zebro 

Rd. Thick forest N of sheds. Dirt road 

on N that runs directly to rear of sheds. 

Sheds on W side of Zebro Rd. Sheds visible 

from Zebro Rd and Hwy 8. House/ 

office on property, SE of sheds. Several 

trailer homes E and NE of sheds. Processing 

/ misc. buildings on opposite side 

of sheds, E side of Zebro Rd.Confirmed 

open (summer 2009). Located just north 

of Highway 8.

Wiesman Mink Ranch 

W13311 Buss Road 

Caroline, WI 54928 

Phone: (715) 754-5645 

Contact: Emil (Bud) & Karen Wiesman 


Large fur farm. Buss Road dead-ends 

at the farm. Also a hunting preserve / 

deer farm (Southbranch Preserve, www. 

southbranch.com) 

Dillenberg Farm 

N2544 Hickory Lane 

Clintonville, WI 54929 

Phone: (715) 853-7002 or (715) 823-3694 

Contact: Leo & Karen Dillenberg 

Notes: Mink and fox farm. 

Muthig Industries 

33 East Larsen Drive 

Fond du Lac, WI 54937 

Phone: (920) 922-9814 

Fax: (920) 922-8088 

Contact: Bruce W. Muthig, President 

Notes: Manufacturer of pellet feeders for 

mink farms. 

Samuel Schrock 

W10181 Cumberland Road 

Wautoma, WI 54982 

Contact: Samuel & Carolyn Schrock 

Notes: Small mink farm, located just west 

of County Road II. 

Golden Sands Ranch 

N5183 17th Drive 

Wild Rose, WI 54984 

Phone: (920) 622-3338 

Fax: (920) 622-4382 

Contact: Harry H. Erickson, Robert 

Erickson 


between County Road A and County 

Road O. 

Fur Farm List

Dedicated to those left behind.

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